T

he Jakarta Health Agency has found that high-blood pressure and diabetes are common medical problems among bus drivers as a result of stress triggered by traffic, insufficient sleep and bad eating habits.

“Hypertension indicates a possible clog in one’s artery that could put a person at risk of a sudden stroke. Diabetes, meanwhile, indicates an abnormality in one’s metabolism; the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen, which can make the person feel sleepy all the time,” agency head Koesmedi Priharto told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

“Many drivers also like to consume energy drinks that contain a lot of sugar. Not only do these drinks increase their blood sugar levels, but they can also damage their kidneys,” he added.

To ensure that bus drivers will be healthy enough to transport travelers this Idul Fitri, the agency is joining hands with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and bus terminals to carry out a health checkup program.

As of Tuesday, 165 bus drivers at Kampung Rambutan bus terminal have undergone health examinations, which include blood sugar and blood pressure tests, urine tests for drugs and alcohol, and eyes tests.

They are also required to be interviewed by a health team, who will assess whether they are tired, sleepy or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“So far, 121 bus drivers were declared healthy and 44 had some health problems — mostly high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels or diabetes,” Kampung Rambutan bus terminal head Emiral August Dwinanto told the Post. “No driver has tested positive for drug use so far.”

Of the 44 bus drivers, Emiral added, 18 were allowed to drive under the health team’s recommendation. Some were told to rest for several hours prior to their departure so they can be fit enough to drive, while others were given medicine to take during their trips.

“The remaining 26 were prohibited from driving. They may travel only if their backup drivers are behind the wheel,” Emiral said.

He assured that this would not disrupt the terminal’s schedule as it had employed more than enough backup buses and drivers.

As of Tuesday, the bus terminal had served 58,358 mudik (Idul Fitri exodus) travelers.

Among the drivers at Kampung Rambutan Terminal who went through a medical checkup is Rian Rhamdoni. The 47-year-old is slated to drive from Jakarta to Sidareja, Central Java.

The medical team said he had high blood pressure but was still allowed to get behind the wheel. He was given various types of medicine to take during his trip.

“I have to take them [the medicine] a couple of times a day, otherwise [the doctor said] I’d get a stroke,” Rian said as quoted by tempo.co.

According to Emiral, the bus terminal had five doctors standing by at its health post from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to inspect drivers.

The health post was set up eight days before Idul Fitri, which is expected to fall on Friday, and will continue to conduct checkups on both drivers and travelers eight days after the religious occasion.

Koesmedi further assured that the drivers will also be examined by their respective companies several days ahead of their scheduled trips.

Buses serving travelers from Jakarta have been departing from nine bus terminals across the city, namely Kampung Rambutan, Pulogebang, Rawamangun and Pinang Ranti in East Jakarta; Kalideres and Grogol bus terminals in West Jakarta; Tanjung Priok and Muara Angke bus terminals in North Jakarta; and Lebak Bulus bus station in South Jakarta.