Thalassemia Month of Banyumas 2019

"Banyumas Goes to Zero Growth of Thalassemia 2023"

1. Opening Ceremony of the Thalassemia Month

The official opening ceremony was held on November 2, 2019 by the regent of Banyumas district, Ir. H. Achmad Husein in Si Panji Regency Hall. Through this event, a movement of Thalassemia Month of Banyumas was declared and introduced to public. This movement would be carried out in a month with many kinds of activities. It was informed to audiences which come from many parties and also press.

2. Thalassemia Screening for 1.000 high school students

Thalassemia screening project was fully sponsored by the Prodia Laboratory. Thalassemia screening was conducted in 3 places, Si Panji Regency Hall, SMA Negeri Ajibarang (State High School of Ajibarang) and SMK Negeri 2 Banyumas (Vocational High School 2 of Banyumas). In Banyumas District, there are more than 100 high schools and each school was required to send their representatives students (10 students for each school) to get thalassemia screening.

3. Thalassemia Socialization for schools

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Every high school was required to give education about thalassemia to their students on a regular basis, which was usually scheduled every Friday, during Thalassemia Month. Each school shared the information and knowledge about thalassemia in the class or

extracurricular activity such as Junior of The Red Cross (PMR) or Scout (Pramuka).

4. Thalassemia Promotion in various media and press.

Thalassemia promotion to public is carried out on a large scale through newspapers and also banners which have been attached in the main street of city and district, schools, government agencies and health services. In addition, the promotion was also shared by local television and radio. There were some talk shows and discussion segment about thalassemia in television or radio.

5. A Competition of Thalassemia Socialization for PKK (Family Welfare Program) A competition of Thalassemia socialization was held by Faculty of Medicine,

Jenderal Soedirman University on November 16, for the members of PKK (family welfare program) at the sub district level. It was participated by 27 PKK at the sub district level and there were 6 winners selected. The competition has goal to share thalassemia information through the members of PKK who mostly are housewives. Hopefully the information about thalassemia can be distributed and shared to all families in Banyumas.

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6. Care Walk For Thalassemia 2019

On Sunday, November 17, 2019 Care Walk for Thalassemia was held in Purwokerto Square. Nearly 5,000 people were participated. Socialization and education about Thalassemia were also carried out to participants. Information about thalassemia was delivered to public by the Regent of Banyumas, Ir. Achmad Husein and representative of Indonesian Thalassemia Foundation, Ruswandi and Dinar Faiza. In addition, various thalassemia banners were also paraded by thallers and for thalassemia campaign.

7. Declaration of Thalassemia Prevention

During Care Walk For Thalassemia event, there was a joint signature of "Declaration of Thalassemia Prevention" by the Regent and his staff, government agencies and public. This declaration is a symbol of commitment to support the movement of thalassemia prevention in Banyumas. By declaring this commitment, hopefully the program of "Banyumas Goes To Zero Growth of Thalassemia 2023" can be successfully achieved.

8. A Charity Concert For Thalassemia “Symphony To Humanity” DP9

A Charity Concert For Thalassemia titled "Symphony For Humanity" Dentistry Perforation 9 was organized by students of the Faculty of Dentistry, Jenderal Soedirman University by inviting a popular guest star, Tulus. The event also had many great performances such as Vocal Group of Banyumas Thallers who sang s theme song of thalassemia, "Masih Ada Asa". There were also various performances by students of Jenderal Soedirman University such as Saman Dance, Choir, Drama, Live Band, etc. Ticket sales were donated for Thalassemia in Banyumas.

The event which was held on Saturday, 30 November 2019 was attended by approximately 2000 audiences. Most of them are teenagers or students who are the main target of thalassemia prevention program. This event was also a closing event of the series

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program of Thalassemia Month of Banyumas. The closing ceremony was done symbolically by the regent of Banyumas with appointing a couple of student from the audience area to beat ‘gong’ (music instrument). It had an intention as a hope that younger generation will be aware of Thalassemia Prevention by screening their blood before marriage.

All of them are the series events of Thalassemia Month in Banyumas. All events have goal to share information about thalassemia and increase public awareness to get their blood tested. It is the only way to break the chain of thalassemia, to stop the growth of thalassemia. Hopefully this movement can successfully achieve the goal so that Banyumas will be zero growth of thalassemia in 2023. We also hope that this program can inspire others to do many thalassemia movements so it also can move government to make a national regulation of thalassemia prevention.

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