The Ministry Of Health Encourages People To Play An Active Role In Hepatitis Elimination Through Four Strategic Steps

JAKARTA - In commemoration of World Hepatitis Day 2025, the Indonesian Ministry of Health invites all elements of society to jointly take a role in ending the transmission of hepatitis in Indonesia.

This call was conveyed through the launch of four strategic steps which were summarized in the 'attation' movement.

"The mobilization of hepatitis is not only the responsibility of doctors or the government, but is a collective task of all of us. Let's jointly stop the chain of transmission, both vertically from mother to child and horizontally through daily contact," said David H. Mulyono, a member of the Indonesian Ministry of Health's Implementation Channel Hepatitis and Infection Disease. , as quoted by ANTARA.

The four strategies echoed in this campaign include:

Overcome ignorance through sustainable public education,

Overcome diagnosis delays by expanding screening access,

Overcome the service gap by opening free access to treatment,

Overcome the stigma by fostering empathy and solidarity.

David emphasized that the momentum of World Hepatitis Day is an important time to strengthen Indonesia's steps in achieving the global target of elimination of hepatitis B and C by 2030.

He reminded that Indonesia together with China and India contributed more than 50 percent of the burden of hepatitis B globally. Therefore, Indonesia's success in eradicating hepatitis will have a major impact on world health.

Every year, more than two million new cases of hepatitis are recorded, and 1.4 million lives are lost due to this disease. In Indonesia itself, high prevalence is still found, especially in eastern regions such as Maluku and Papua," said David.

He also revealed that about 60 percent of Indonesians do not yet have immunity to hepatitis B, making them a vulnerable group that is at high risk in the future. For this reason, increasing immunization coverage and early screening are crucial steps.

David added that the elimination strategy cannot be generalized throughout the region. It takes an approach that adapts local characteristics by involving community leaders, religious leaders, and customs in the education and counseling process.

"Prognosis and therapy services must also reach remote areas. Examination and treatment should be carried out in basic facilities such as health centers, so that pregnant women and patients in remote areas still get their rights to health services," he said.