Elementary students to receive YJI's free heart screenings

Mataram (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Heart Foundation (Yayasan Jantung Indonesia/YJI) will soon launch a free heart screening program for elementary school students as part of an early detection and heart health education initiative for children.

“We aim to start the free heart screenings for elementary students in September 2025,” YJI Chairperson Annisa Pohan Yudhoyono stated on Sunday evening after attending the YJI Gathering Night in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara Province.

The event was attended by Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono along with about 147 YJI representatives from districts and cities across Indonesia.

It was also part of the 2025 Indonesian Community Sports Festival (Fornas VIII) series in West Nusa Tenggara.

Following the launch of its rheumatic fever screening program, Annisa explained that YJI will spend the next two years visiting elementary schools nationwide to conduct free heart health checks.

“We have portable heart screening equipment, so we can provide services directly at schools. The students would not need to visit a health facility,” she remarked.

The program is expected to effectively prevent heart disease, especially since current data show the disease increasingly affects productive-age individuals, including children, adolescents, and adults.

YJI chairperson stated that early screening can help detect heart abnormalities in children, making treatment easier, faster, and more affordable.

“If left undetected into their teenage years or adulthood, it could pose serious health risks,” she cautioned.

This upcoming program aligns with YJI’s existing initiative, “Heart at School,” which promotes early detection and heart health education for teenagers.

The initiative aims to raise awareness, identify early risk factors, and empower students to become health ambassadors in their communities.

"Children also receive training in basic life support as part of early efforts to restore breathing and circulation functions,” she elaborated.

Annisa also encouraged local governments across Indonesia to establish YJI chapters in their regions. Currently, YJI is present in only 147 districts and cities.

Expanding YJI's presence remains a key challenge, especially since the foundation is based on voluntary participation.

“YJI must be built on a sense of commitment, willingness, and personal initiative,” she affirmed.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono expressed his support for YJI’s mission and pledged to help promote its programs.

This includes encouraging healthy lifestyle campaigns to improve personal, family, and community well-being.

He emphasized that heart health is not just the government's responsibility but a shared commitment requiring collaboration among individuals, groups, and institutions.

He stated that all generations are vulnerable to heart disease. “Heart disease has many contributing factors, so early education through schools and families is vital,” he stated.

“This way, we can build a healthier, more balanced, and productive Indonesian society,” he concluded.