On September 9, 2025, the stately halls of Griya Agung Palembang were abuzz with celebration and ambition as the leadership of Yayasan Jantung Indonesia (YJI) Sumsel gathered to report their latest achievements and chart a course for a healthier future. The meeting brought together Hj Feby Herman Deru, Chair of the South Sumatra Family Welfare Movement (TP PKK) and advisor to YJI Sumsel, with Plt Ketua YJI Sumsel Ir. H. Darma Budhi and an assembly of key officials, all united by a common goal: promoting heart health, especially among the province’s youth.
The occasion was more than a routine courtesy call. According to Radar Palembang and Sekilasmedia.com, the YJI Sumsel team arrived with pride, fresh from a sweeping victory at the FORNAS VIII National Sports Week held in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, in July 2025. The organization clinched medals across every category they entered—one gold, two silver, and two bronze—making it a clean sweep that left their competitors trailing and their supporters beaming. The triumph was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team, and it did not go unnoticed by their advisor.
Feby Herman Deru was quick to heap praise upon the YJI Sumsel contingent. “Don’t be easily satisfied, keep training for FORNAS IX in 2027, target gold in all categories,” she urged, her words ringing with encouragement and expectation. The celebratory mood, however, was balanced with a clear-eyed focus on the future. Feby’s message was not just about medals and accolades; it was about sustaining momentum and using their platform to drive meaningful change in public health.
Central to her vision was a call to action aimed squarely at the next generation. As reported by Radar Palembang, Feby emphasized, “I hope YJI Sumsel will increase the formation of Heart Healthy Clubs (Klub Jantung Sehat, KJS) in schools. Students must really be involved; taking preventive measures from an early age is very important, because they are the ones who will replace us all.” Her remarks were echoed in Sekilasmedia.com, where she elaborated on the need to direct the organization’s mission toward youth, underscoring the significance of early intervention and education in combating heart disease.
This focus on prevention isn’t new, but it’s gaining urgency as cardiovascular disease remains one of Indonesia’s leading health challenges. By targeting children and teenagers through school-based clubs, the hope is to instill healthy habits before bad ones take root. These clubs, known as KJS or more specifically as Klub Jantung Sehat Remaja (KJSR) for teenagers, aim to educate students on the importance of regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and routine health monitoring—all cornerstones of heart health.
For the YJI Sumsel leadership, the meeting was a chance to both reflect and strategize. Plt Ketua YJI Sumsel Ir. H. Darma Budhi expressed deep appreciation for the guidance and support received. “We are grateful that today YJI Sumsel can meet and receive direction from our advisor, to achieve YJI’s vision as a pioneer of a healthy lifestyle,” he said, according to Sekilasmedia.com. The gratitude was palpable, and so was the sense of shared responsibility.
The gathering was well-attended by the organization’s key figures, including Secretary Dra. Hj. Sri Atika, MM, Treasurer dr. Ria Anindita, M.Kes, Medical Chair dr. Mangiring, Sp.JP (K), FIHA, and Preventive Chair Drs. H. Markoginta, MM. Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit that’s essential for turning lofty goals into practical action—something YJI Sumsel has proven it can do, both on the competition floor and in the community.
But why the emphasis on schools? The answer lies in the shifting landscape of public health. With rising rates of obesity and sedentary lifestyles among Indonesian youth, the seeds of heart disease are often sown early. School-based interventions have been shown globally to be among the most effective ways to instill lifelong habits. By making heart health a visible, shared priority in the classroom and on the playground, YJI Sumsel hopes to create a ripple effect that extends to families and communities at large.
“Taking preventive action from an early age is very important,” Feby reiterated, a sentiment backed by a growing body of scientific evidence. Early education about heart health can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life, making these clubs more than just extracurricular activities—they’re investments in the province’s future well-being.
Of course, the path ahead is not without its challenges. Sustaining enthusiasm, securing resources, and ensuring that the message resonates across diverse communities will require persistence and creativity. Yet, as the medal haul at FORNAS VIII demonstrated, YJI Sumsel is no stranger to hard work or high expectations. The organization’s leaders are already looking ahead to FORNAS IX in 2027, setting their sights on gold in every category. It’s an ambitious goal, but one that seems within reach given their recent track record and the renewed sense of purpose that comes from engaging the next generation.
The broader context is worth noting. Across Indonesia, public health organizations are grappling with how best to address non-communicable diseases like heart disease and diabetes. The approach taken by YJI Sumsel—blending competitive achievement with grassroots education—offers a model that others may well seek to emulate. By celebrating success while also investing in prevention, they’re working to shift the narrative from treatment to wellness, from individual achievement to collective impact.
The September 9 meeting at Griya Agung Palembang was, in many ways, a microcosm of this larger movement. It was a moment to honor past victories, yes, but also to reaffirm commitments and set new targets. The presence of so many dedicated officials and the clear alignment between advisor and leadership suggest that YJI Sumsel is well-positioned to continue making a difference—on the medal stand and in the lives of South Sumatra’s young people.
As the meeting drew to a close, there was a sense that the real work was only just beginning. The medals from Lombok are now part of YJI Sumsel’s proud history, but the formation of Heart Healthy Clubs in schools promises to be an even more enduring legacy. By inspiring students to take charge of their health, and by supporting teachers and families in this mission, YJI Sumsel is planting seeds that could bear fruit for generations to come.
In South Sumatra, the race for heart health is on—and if the leadership of YJI Sumsel has anything to say about it, the province’s youth are already out of the starting blocks.