UNS – Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Hospital held another session of its “Healthy Dialogue” (Dialog Sehat) program to commemorate World Tuberculosis Day 2025. UNS Hospital broadcast this discussion live on its Instagram and YouTube channels. The program titled the session Understanding Pulmonary TB in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The event took place on Monday (24/3/2025). It aimed to raise public awareness about tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus, two prevalent diseases in Indonesia.
dr. Linda Soebroto, Sp.P., a Pulmonology Specialist at UNS Hospital, moderated the session along with two expert speakers:
- Dr. Hendrastutik Apriningsih, dr., Sp.P (K), M.Kes., FISR, Pulmonology Consultant at UNS Hospital.
- dr. Berty Denny Hermawati, Sp.PD., FINASIM, Internal Medicine Specialist at UNS Hospital.
Both specialists provided in-depth insights into TB and DM, covering their causes, symptoms, and preventive measures.
Understanding Tuberculosis (TB)
Dr. Hendrastutik explained that Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis, a bacterial infection. The public commonly refers to this disease as ‘lung spots. While it primarily affects the lungs, it can also spread to other organs such as the bones, kidneys, and brain.
“Indonesia has the second-highest TB cases in the world after India. Public awareness is crucial to enable early detection and immediate treatment,” she emphasized.
She also clarified a common misconception. People do not inherit TB, instead, they contract it through droplets from coughing or sneezing. Vulnerable groups include children under five, whose immune systems are still developing, as well as the elderly over 60. Additionally, individuals with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and HIV are more susceptible due to weakened immunity.
Diabetes Mellitus: Causes and Prevention
dr. Berty highlighted that diabetes mellitus, often called ‘kencing manis,’ is a metabolic disorder that causes high blood sugar levels. It occurs due to insufficient insulin production, impaired insulin function, or both.
“Unlike TB, diabetes is not contagious. However, genetics plays a significant role. Research indicates that close family members have a 30% chance of developing DM. Children of two diabetic parents face a 50% risk,” she explained.
Lifestyle choices greatly influence the risk of diabetes. Poor dietary habits combined with a lack of physical activity contribute significantly to its onset. To prevent diabetes, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential. Some key recommendations include:
- Eating a balanced and nutritious diet.
- Exercising regularly.
- Maintaining proper hygiene and health routines.
- Managing comorbidities effectively through regular check-ups and medication adherence.
By adopting these habits, individuals can strengthen their immune systems and reduce the risk of both TB and diabetes mellitus.
This Healthy Dialogue session provided valuable insights into TB and DM. It encouraged the public to be more proactive about their health. People can effectively manage these diseases through early detection, proper treatment, and a healthier lifestyle. UNS Hospital remains committed to raising awareness and promoting better healthcare for the community.
Humas UNS
Reporter: Dikky Yudi Pradana
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
