Ministry Of Health Runs Pilot Program For Early Detection Of Tiroid Disorders

Examination of thyroid hormone (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone/TSH) using testing kit d

JAKARTA PT Merck Tbk (Merck) supports the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkes RI) in expanding access to screening for thyroid disorders as a strategic step to improve the quality of public health. Through this program, as many as 80 thousand Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) tests will be distributed to health centers in seven areas with the prevalence of high thyroid disorders, namely Deli Serdang, Jakarta, Malang, Makassar, Medan, Cirebon, and Surabaya.

Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. dr. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, Sp.PD-KEMD, Ph.D., stated that thyroid disturbances are often not detected until they have a serious impact. Therefore, early detection is a crucial step to prevent complications and ensure proper treatment from an early age. The Ministry of Health appreciates Merck's support in providing TSH examination tools at various health centers in Indonesia. This initiative is a tangible form of cross-sector collaboration to expand access to health services at the primary level."

The data show that thyroid disorders in Asia Pacific have high prevalence with about 11% of the adult population suffering from hypothyroidism, compared to global figures of only 2-4%1. This data confirms the importance of early detection and sustainable education for the community. President Director of PT Merck Tbk, Evie Yulin added, Merck believes that this simple thyroid test in the Early Detection Program for Tiroidal Disorders could be a game changer to help millions of patients who have not been diagnosed. Merck has the passion to continue to be the government's strategic partner in increasing awareness and early detection for the Indonesian people. This support is also in line with the Manifesto Tiroid Merck, an invitation to examine large-scale thyroid disorders to diagnose more than 50 million people living with hypothyroidism by 2030.

This program also received support from the Indonesian thyroid patient community, Pita Tosca. The chairman and founder, Astriani Dwi Aryaningtyas, said, "As a thyroid fighter, having clinical symptoms and the risk factors for thyroid disorders can reduce the quality of life of individuals. thyroid disorders which are classified as non-communicable diseases, sometimes have clinical symptoms that are not visible, but have significant impact (invisible illness).

As we all know, the small thyroid gland, however, has enormous benefits for the body's metabolism, making us as thyroid patients feel it's time for the government and many observables with thyroid disorders to have a movement to support the improvement in the quality of life of thyroid fighters.

Furthermore, he also added, "As a thyroid patient, it strongly supports the thyroid disorder screening program (TSH) because it can increase the diagnosis of thyroid disorders in Indonesia, which is currently still relatively low. As a follow-up to the screening program, Pita Tosca as a patient organization hopes that access to thyroid disorders can continue to be improved, especially given the limited choice of treatment through national health insurance (JKN). Early detection through screening is an important step to manage this condition effectively. The Tosca band is committed to working with all parties and voicing to stakeholders that each individual has the opportunity to get the diagnosis and treatment they need."

To support the implementation of screening, Merck also provides TSH inspection logistics, such as diagnostic machines FIA meters, micropipettes, stopwatches, vacuum holders, tourniquets, and consumable medical materials (BMHP), including needles, EDTA tubes, kit test reagents, alcohol swabs, and plasters.

Supporting The Establishment Of A National Register For Tiroid Patients

As part of a long-term strategy, Merck Indonesia and the Indonesian Thyroid Association (InaTA) are currently compiling a manuscript for the publication of the Thyroid Registry Report report, based on the results of screening from the RAISE Tiroid program. This chip is planned to be published in an international journal this year, as an effort to build an accurate national database regarding the burden of thyroid disease in Indonesia.

In addition to facilitating the implementation of 80 thousand TSH tests in various health centers, the collected data is expected to support disease mapping and proof-based policy making, especially for high risk groups such as pregnant women, the elderly, and people with non-communicable diseases (PTM).

dr. Dicky L. Stageary, Sp.PD-KEMD, Ph.D., Chair of Metabolic Disorder Cluster, Cardiovascular and Aging (MVA) FKUI IMERI as well as in charge of the registries, stated, Data is the foundation of a targeted policy. With this registry, we can move from assumption to proof-based approach, from reactive response to more structured prevention. This is important in the management of thyroid disease in Indonesia.

Merck also expressed its support for the plan of the Indonesian Ministry of Health to bring the results of this initiative to the World Health Assembly (WHO) forum, as Indonesia's contribution to strengthening the governance of non-communicable diseases at the global level.

Merck Indonesia's Sustainable Commitment

Support for the implementation of TSH screening is a continuation of the RAISE Tiroid program that has been running since 2023. The program aims to increase awareness and capacity of health workers in handling thyroid disorders. By the end of 2024, more than 6,000 health workers have received training, 72,600 patients have been digitally discriminated using Wayne and Billionairez scores, and more than 30,000 TSH tests have been carried out with a conversion rate of 18.8% or about 5,700 positive cases.