October 19, 2021

Free Early Detection Program for Knee Bone and Joint Complications in 50 Children with Thalassemia Major

Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM), alongside PT Insight Investments Management (INSIGHT), YTI, POPTI, and PSRAI, organized free knee joint radiology and ultrasound screening sessions for pediatric thalassemia patients in Jakarta.

Program Information

Program Name

Free Early Detection Program for Knee Bone and Joint Complications in 50 Children with Thalassemia Major

Date

October 19, 2021

Program Focus

SDGs

Partner Collaborators

Beneficiaries / Participants

50 children with thalassemia major aged 2–17 alongside their accompanying families from 5 referral hospitals

Location

Hotel Mercure Jakarta Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta

Key Activities

Ultrasonography (USG) examinations of knee joints and bones for 50 pediatric patients with thalassemia major General health triage and rapid antigen screening for all participating children and guardian escorts Direct medical consultations with pediatric radiology specialists Distribution of official USG diagnostic expertises, clinical therapy recommendations, and nutritious food packages

Expected Outcomes

Early identification of joint and skeletal complications associated with prolonged iron chelation (deferiprone) therapy Relief of substantial economic burdens on underprivileged families facing prohibitive advanced radiology costs Provision of preventive clinical guidance to parents to avert permanent pediatric physical disabilities

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PT Insight Investments Management (INSIGHT), through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, joined hands with Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM), the Indonesian Thalassemia Foundation (YTI), Sahabat Thalasemia Indonesia, and the Indonesian Pediatric Radiology Subspecialist Society (PSRAI) to jointly organize a free "Early Knee Joint Detection Program for Thalassemia Patients" at Hotel Mercure Jakarta Gatot Subroto on Saturday and Sunday, October 16–17, 2021.

This healthcare initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder passed down from one or both parents to their child, causing chronic anemia due to defective hemoglobin production. Common symptoms experienced by patients include chronic fatigue, excessive sleepiness, and shortness of breath, requiring lifelong regular blood transfusions.

The overarching objective of this program was to provide early screening for thalassemia patients to prevent long-term mobility impairment and mitigate knee joint and bone damage arising from prolonged deferiprone iron chelation therapy among children diagnosed with thalassemia major.

The opening ceremony was attended by leadership figures from partner organizations, including: Suluh Tripambudi Rahardjo, CSR Coordinator of PT INSIGHT; Dr. Merry T.P. Hutagalung, Board of Trustees Member of YIIM; Dewi Astari, Secretary of the Board of YIIM; Ruswandi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of YTI; Prof. Dr. dr. Ristaniah D. Soetikno, M.Kes, Sp.Rad(K), Chairperson of PSRAI; dr. Damayanti Sekarsari, M.Pd.Ked, Sp.Rad(K), PSRAI member; and dr. Tigor Yehezkiel, Sp.Rad, PSRAI member and lead examining radiologist for the program.

During the opening session, Suluh Tripambudi Rahardjo remarked: "This early knee joint screening initiative reflects our corporate philosophy: transforming investments into social impact. While investing in our financial products, investors are simultaneously empowered to create tangible humanitarian impact. We hope this program continues to inspire and generate sustainable positive outcomes."

Lead examining radiologist dr. Tigor Yehezkiel, Sp.Rad, emphasized: "Thalassemia is among the most prevalent genetic conditions in Indonesia. Currently, early clinical diagnosis of joint and skeletal complications from thalassemia remains cost-prohibitive for many. My principal concern has been to prove that musculoskeletal ultrasound (USG) offers an outstanding, highly sensitive, and specific screening alternative at an affordable cost, ensuring that economically disadvantaged patients can access essential early interventions."

Furthermore, Secretary of the Board of YIIM, Dewi Astari, expressed hope that this screening program significantly relieves the financial burden borne by vulnerable families of thalassemia patients, given the substantial out-of-pocket costs typically required for regular medical scans.

The medical screening was conducted smoothly and professionally by dr. Tigor Yehezkiel, Sp.Rad, assisted by Dr. Merry T.P. Hutagalung. The two-day screening at Hotel Mercure Jakarta Gatot Subroto catered to 50 children diagnosed with thalassemia major aged 2 to 17 years.

On the first day, Saturday, October 16, 2021, the medical team examined knee joints of 24 pediatric patients referred from three hospitals: Harapan Bunda Hospital Pasar Rebo, Hermina Hospital Jatinegara, and Fatmawati Central General Hospital. On the second day, Sunday, October 17, 2021, screenings were conducted for 25 pediatric patients from Harapan Kita Hospital Slipi and Hermina Hospital Kemayoran.

Throughout the screening sessions, young patients were accompanied by their parents or guardians under stringent health protocols. Following the evaluation, each beneficiary received formal USG radiology expertise documentation, doctor recommendations, antigen swab certificates, and packages of nutritious, wholesome food.

Salam Inspirasi!

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