JAKARTA – The latest research from Economist Enterprise reveals that if Self-care is effectively integrated into the health system, it has been proven to improve the quality of public health, expand access to health services, and reduce the burden on the medical service system, which is currently very burdened
The research, supported by Bayer entitled “Making self-care work: integrating self-care into health systems”, cites various data that estimate that self-care practices are able to provide annual economic benefits of up to around 179 billion US dollars, as well as helping many countries in realizing Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
Amid the increasing pressure on the health service system due to the increasing elderly population, chronic diseases, medical staff shortages, and unequal access, self-care is now increasingly recognized as one way to improve clinical outcomes, expand access, and realize more sustainable health service provision
This research emphasizes that self-care will work optimally if it is well integrated into the formal health system, supported by reliable information, affordability, and a clear referral system
In the research, scientist from The Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Manjulaa Narasimhan said Self-care is the front line for all health care
“With clinical evidence, supportive policies, and trained health and care workers, self-care can contribute greatly to improving health and well-being for all,” said Dr Manjulaa
The Economist Enterprise research states that Self-care is broadly defined by the WHO as the ability of individuals, families, and communities to manage their health and well-being, self-care covers a very broad area, ranging from daily healthy living behaviors and disease prevention practices, to the use of digital devices, self-health monitoring, and the use of over-the-counter / non-prescription drugs
However, this broad definition also presents its own challenges, especially in terms of governance, benchmarks, and consistency of integration across the health system
This research explains that self-care functions optimally as a part supported by the health system, not as a substitute
Self-care that is well supported through trusted information, affordable access, and clear referral pathways is able to expand access to health services, strengthen prevention and early intervention measures, encourage patients to be more empowered, independent, and actively involved in taking care of their own health, and reduce the burden and pressure on the health system
“Self-care solutions, including the use of digital devices, safe and affordable over-the-counter drugs, nutritional supplements, and educational information, are fundamental to addressing the global health service gap. This is the first line of defense for people and the health system,” said Julio Triana, Member of the Bayer Board of Management and President of Consumer Health in a separate interview with Economist Enterprise regarding the future of self-care
“We want to empower people to have the ability and make the right decisions for their own health, take full control of their well-being, and play an active role in treatment and prevention efforts. Credible self-care can help expand access and strengthen the health system, but this must be supported by evidence-based information, strict standards, and clear referral pathways to professional care,” he said
The research states that there are three crucial priorities to make self-care a more effective part of mainstream health services. First, realizing policy commitments into concrete actions as self-care is increasingly recognized, each country needs a clear governance structure and division of responsibilities, as well as stronger stakeholder coordination to translate policy visions into practical implementation
Second, expanding access through trusted and equitable support such as affordable products and services, reliable information, appropriate financing mechanisms, and culturally relevant support systems is critical to ensuring that self-care can expand access without widening existing health disparities
Third, strengthen the foundation of evidence, measurement, and accountability, given that self-care practices are increasingly common at home, pharmacies, and digital platforms, the health system will need stronger mechanisms to measure outcomes, monitor patient safety, and generate valid data to guide future policy directions and investment decisions
The research also found that a number of countries have shown how self-care can be embedded into a broader health care delivery system. Germany, for example, is implementing “green prescriptions”, which allow doctors to formally prescribe over-the-counter drugs as part of self-care with medical guidance
In Indonesia, the Healthy Living Community Movement (GERMAS) actively promotes healthy lifestyles, sanitation, and self-health education including responsible use of drugs in school, workplace, and community environments
Speaking about the complementary relationship between self-care and institutional health facilities, Director General, Global Self-Care Federation, Greg Perry, said self-care is not meant to shift responsibility from the health system
On the other hand, evidence-based self-care products and services, as well as over-the-counter medicines equipped with trusted information, will actually provide capacity (headroom) for referral pathways, so that patients can get medical treatment at health facilities in a timely manner when they really need it
“Self-care is not intended to relieve the responsibility of the health system. On the contrary, evidence-based self-care products and services and over-the-counter drugs equipped with accurate information actually create room for capacity (headroom) for referral pathways. In this way, patients can get medical treatment at health facilities in a timely manner when they really need it,” he said
Findings from the Economist Enterprise research conclude that if governance, financing, accountability, and its support systems are strengthened, self-care can be a very cost-effective and complementary starting point to create a more preventive and proactive health system
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language.
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