INTRODUCTION

As a health education institution that prepares vocational health personnel consisting of several types of vocational health workers, such as nurses, midwives, health analysts, sanitarians, dental nurses, nutritionists, pharmacist assistants, and dental technicians, giving a large enough role to improve health in the community, through the activities of the Three Pillars of Higher Education.

Following the vision and mission of the Poltekkes Kemenkes Tanjung Karang to carry out the Three Pillars of Higher Education through education, research and community service efforts, these efforts are carried out focusing on safety and community safety (Safe Community) in the health sector, for this reason, Poltekkes Kemenkes Tanjung Karang conducts an international conference every two years which themed Safe Community. The conference theme will be adapted to the conditions and situations in that year. Regarding the launch of “Health Transformation” by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia in 2022, higher education under the Ministry of Health has the task of realizing the direction of the Ministry of Health. Where each higher education institution under the Ministry of Health must have a certain center of excellence in the health sector, Health Polytechnic of Tanjung Karang is mandated to realize a center of excellence in science and technology, namely brain health and stroke. To explore the current progress and development of science and technology in the area of ​​brain health and stroke globally, it is necessary to hold this international seminar.

Brain health is the basic capital for productive and quality activities rccording to ability. Improving the quality of Human Resources (HR) cannot be separated from the role of brain health. Integrated brain health management, will produce human resources who are intelligent, have competence, ability, skills, and high competitiveness. Brain health efforts are individual or group health service efforts aimed at increasing and maintaining existing intelligence potential and overcoming brain health disorders that can reduce productivity and the quality of human life. The role of health in developing brain-based human resources is carried out by optimizing brain health efforts starting from the fetus to the elderly (Redaksi Sehat Negeriku, 2011).

This seminar can provide an understanding of the role of “Brain Health and Development” in improving the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. The Ministry of Health, with cross-programs and cross-sectors, especially the Provincial Health Service, is to coordinate service systems and implement programs in their respective regions. Health service facilities such as hospitals and community health centers should develop specific service models and build referral systems. Relevant professions and academics should invent service standards and conduct studies on the services provided. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should increase community participation in supporting government programs so that they are expected to facilitate the development of various health efforts to improve the quality of the Indonesian nation (Redaksi Sehat Negeriku, 2011).

Stroke is a condition in which rapidly developing clinical signs are found in the form of decreased brain function, both focal and global, which can be severe and last for 24 hours or more. A stroke occurs when a brain blood vessel becomes blocked or ruptures so that part of the brain does not receive the blood supply that carries the necessary oxygen, resulting in cell/ tissue death. Data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) shows that the prevalence of stroke in Indonesia reached 8.3 per mile or 1,000 people aged over 15 years last year.

Several strategies have been developed by the government to reduce the prevalence of stroke in Indonesia. Start by strengthening promotive and preventive public health efforts such as campaigning for the consumption of balanced nutritious food, maintaining blood sugar levels, doing regular physical activity, and what is no less important is regular health checks at least once every 6 months. Next, is strengthening health services for stroke. The Minister of Health said that currently, the number of health service facilities and surgical specialist health workers is inadequate. Of the 34 provinces, only 20 provinces can carry out procedures using cath labs, while 14 provinces are still unable to provide stroke services. Apart from that, fulfilling health workers is also necessary. The reason is that the number of specialist surgeons is minimal. Its distribution is also not evenly distributed, it is still concentrated in big cities on the island of Java. Another effort that the government is making is digital technology to improve stroke services in all health facilities. The Minister of Health wants stroke health services to continue to develop along with the times. This technological development must be utilized to provide more personalized and precise health services. The hope is that this can also be used to prevent stroke (Redaksi Sehat Negeriku, 2022).

Poltekkes Kemenkes Tanjung Karang is committed to realizing the direction of the Ministry of Health, especially to success as a center of excellence in science and technology “Brain Health and Stroke”, thereby creating a safe community. Therefore, Poltekkes Kemenkes Tanjung Karang determines the theme of the 2024 international conference with the theme “Innovation and Technology to Support the Services Transformation of Brain Health and Stroke“.