Your child may appear active and rarely fall ill, but are they developing in line with their age, and have they received all the immunisations they need? Many parents only become aware of developmental delays or incomplete immunisation records after their child encounters a particular difficulty. However, regular developmental monitoring and immunisation can help detect and prevent various health problems at an early stage.
Developmental difficulties in children can take many forms, ranging from speech and walking delays to motor difficulties and challenges with social interaction. Unfortunately, some of these conditions are only recognised when children reach school age or when they fail to achieve developmental milestones expected for their age.
The Indonesian Ministry of Health identifies the first 1,000 days of life, from conception until a child reaches the age of two, as a golden period for growth and development. This period plays an important role in determining a child’s future health and quality of life.
The importance of early developmental monitoring is also highlighted by Dr Isvarani Devana Irawan, Sp.A, a paediatrician at Bethsaida Hospital Gading Serpong, who warns that signs of developmental delays in children often only become apparent as they grow older.
“Not all developmental difficulties are clearly visible in the early stages. Regular examinations are therefore necessary to help parents monitor their child’s developmental milestones in line with their age. If delays or particular risk factors are identified, appropriate intervention can be provided sooner and more effectively,” she explains.
In addition to monitoring development, parents should ensure that their children receive immunisations according to the recommended schedule to protect them against various infectious diseases, including measles, polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Immunisation also helps protect against vaccine-preventable diseases caused by pneumococcal infections and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), which can still lead to serious complications in children.
The importance of early detection and immunisation has also been emphasised by Indonesia’s Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin. He stated, “For preventive and promotive programmes for children, families must first be educated, secondly, children must undergo screening more frequently, and thirdly, they must receive immunisations. These are the three main components of preventive care.”
In line with this, Dr Regia Sabaraty Sinurat, Sp.A, a paediatrician at Bethsaida Hospital Serang, stresses that developmental monitoring and immunisation are two important steps in safeguarding children’s health from an early age.
“Immunisation not only protects children against various infectious diseases but also helps reduce the risk of serious complications that could affect their development and quality of life in the future. It is therefore important for parents to follow the recommended immunisation schedule,” she adds.
Looking after a child’s health should not begin only when they fall ill. It also involves monitoring their growth and development and ensuring they receive immunisations according to schedule. In recognition of the importance of early detection of developmental difficulties and protection through immunisation, the Pediatric Center at Bethsaida Hospital Gading Serpong and Bethsaida Hospital Serang provides comprehensive, integrated paediatric healthcare services to support optimal growth and development from early childhood through adolescence.
With a one-stop service concept supported by an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system and assistance from a Personal Care Assistant (PCA), the Pediatric Centers at Bethsaida Hospital Gading Serpong and Bethsaida Hospital Serang offer a more integrated healthcare experience. Parents can access consultations, examinations and medical follow-up more comfortably and efficiently through a coordinated service.
Supporting Every Stage of a Child’s Development
Every child progresses through the stages of growth and development at their own pace. Nevertheless, regular monitoring remains essential to ensure that their motor, language, cognitive and social skills develop in line with their age.
The Pediatric Center at Bethsaida Hospital provides consultation and developmental monitoring services delivered by dedicated paediatricians. Through comprehensive assessments, signs of developmental delays and specific risk factors can be identified earlier, allowing appropriate interventions to be provided promptly according to each child’s needs.
Immunisation as a Long-Term Investment in Health
Alongside developmental monitoring, immunisation is an essential part of maintaining children’s health. The Pediatric Center at Bethsaida Hospital provides childhood immunisation services in accordance with current recommendations and schedules, covering both primary and booster immunisations.
Through consultations with paediatricians, parents can obtain information about the immunisations their children need based on their age and health conditions, helping ensure optimal protection against various infectious diseases.
Supported by an experienced team of paediatricians and integrated supporting facilities, the Pediatric Center at Bethsaida Hospital is committed to supporting children at every stage of their growth and development through services that prioritise the needs of patients and their families.
Many developmental difficulties and infectious diseases in children can be prevented or managed more effectively when identified early. Regular developmental monitoring and timely immunisation should therefore be priorities for parents from their children’s earliest years.
Through the Pediatric Centers at Bethsaida Hospital Gading Serpong and Bethsaida Hospital Serang, parents can access paediatric healthcare services designed to support optimal growth and development, from developmental monitoring and immunisation to comprehensive medical care for children.