JAKARTA – Indonesianpost.com – Reported by Antara, The Indonesian government is offering free tuberculosis (TB) detection and treatment services as part of a national strategy to strengthen the country’s human capital, according to the Presidential Communication Office (PCO).
Speaking on Thursday, PCO spokesperson Hariqo Wibawa Saputra said the program aims to disrupt the chain of TB transmission, which remains a major public health concern.
“Each year, around 125,000 Indonesians die from TB—that’s more than 15 people every hour,” he said after a working visit to Tangerang City to monitor TB case management efforts.
He stressed that the government has prepared a complete and free TB service package, from initial screening to full recovery treatment.
Saputra also commended health workers who dedicate themselves to supporting patients throughout their recovery. He urged local governments to recognize and appreciate their invaluable role.
“Tangerang is setting a great example that can be followed by all 514 districts and cities across the country,” he noted.
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Tangerang Mayor Sachrudin credited the city’s progress in curbing TB cases to strong cross-sector collaboration, extending all the way to the village level.
He highlighted innovative efforts such as home improvement programs for TB patients and school-based awareness campaigns, which have helped position Tangerang as a model city for TB control.
As of 2024, the city reported five TB cases per 1,000 residents, with a 92% treatment success rate and 100% service coverage.
Meanwhile, Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono emphasized the critical importance of early detection, especially among asymptomatic carriers, and continued multi-sector cooperation in addressing the disease.
Indonesia currently has the second-highest number of TB cases globally, with over one million cases and approximately 125,000 deaths per year.
Dante stressed that TB patients are no longer contagious after just one month of treatment, and that stigmatizing them only hinders the country’s ability to manage and eliminate the disease effectively. (BL)