JAKARTA - Efforts to overcome infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) require steps that are not only fast, but also comprehensive.
In addition to medical treatment, factors such as the environment, nutrition, and public awareness also play a major role in reducing the transmission rate. Therefore, various innovative and collaborative strategies continue to be encouraged so that the target for the elimination of TB can be achieved.
Deputy Minister of Health Benjamin Paulus Octavianus said that the acceleration of the elimination of tuberculosis is now focused through the Free Health Check (CKG) program and the use of innovations in the health sector.
He revealed that Indonesia still faces a high burden of TB, with the number of cases reaching more than one million each year, thus placing Indonesia as one of the countries with the most cases in the world.
To reduce this figure, the government encourages massive early detection, one of which is through the CKG program which is targeted to reach up to 130 million people by 2026.
Benjamin also emphasized that the hope to eliminate TB remains wide open thanks to the development of innovations, ranging from diagnostic tools to the development of drugs and vaccines.
"Tuberculosis is still a big challenge. This is not only a health problem, but also related to social, economic, nutritional, and environmental factors," he said.
He explained that the situation of TB in Indonesia is still worrying, with an average of two people infected every minute and one person dying every four minutes. Therefore, various steps are strengthened, such as tracking close contacts, giving preventive therapy, and increasing the role of the community and health cadres.
"There is no time to delay. Every case found and treated is a step to save lives," he said.
Meanwhile, WHO Indonesia Representative Setiawan Jati Laksono assessed that efforts to combat TB require stronger global support. He said Indonesia contributed about 10 percent of the total global TB cases.
"TB is still a global threat. There is progress, but not fast enough. Political commitment and national funding are very decisive," he said.
Data show that in 2024 there are approximately 118,000 deaths due to TB in individuals without HIV, as well as 8,100 deaths in people with HIV in Indonesia.
The WHO also highlighted a number of challenges that are still being faced, such as the large number of cases that have not been detected, the emergence of drug-resistant TB, as well as other risk factors such as malnutrition, diabetes, and smoking habits.
As part of prevention efforts, the Ministry of Health has also established cross-sectoral cooperation, including with the Ministry of Housing and Settlements (PKP) to improve housing quality, such as ensuring good ventilation to reduce the risk of TB germ spread.
In addition, collaboration is also carried out in meeting the nutritional needs of the community to increase the body's resistance to be more optimal in fighting TB infections.
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