Batam PKK Strengthens TB Education, Early Detection, and Patient Support
The Batam City Family Empowerment and Welfare Movement (TP-PKK) is committed to supporting the national tuberculosis (TB) elimination programme by strengthening education, early detection, and patient assistance. This was stated by the Chairwoman of Batam City TP-PKK, Erlita Amsakar, during the opening of a talk show and the declaration of TB Alert Villages for Tanjung Buntung and Bengkong Laut sub-districts in Bengkong District at the Golden View Hotel, Batam, on Tuesday, 14 July 2026.
Erlita noted that TB remains a serious health challenge, as Indonesia is among the countries with the highest number of TB cases in the world. Therefore, addressing the disease requires the involvement of all elements of society, not just the government and health workers.
“TB is a curable disease. Therefore, the community must not ostracise sufferers. Instead, they should receive support from family and their surroundings to remain motivated to complete their treatment,” said Erlita.
She explained that TB is an infectious disease caused by bacteria, primarily affecting the lungs, though it can also attack other organs. Transmission occurs through droplet spray when a sufferer coughs, sneezes, or speaks. The success of TB control is highly dependent on patient adherence to treatment and support from family and the surrounding environment during the recovery process.
She also called on all PKK cadres in Batam City to take a more active role alongside the Health Office in educating the public, conducting early detection, and providing patient assistance down to the neighbourhood and community unit levels. “PKK cadres must continue to move together with the Health Office. We need to strengthen education, early detection, and assistance to the community so that more areas can declare themselves as TB-alert zones and move towards being TB-free,” she said.
Meanwhile, she stated that the TB Alert Village movement is a strategic step to increase public awareness while expanding prevention and treatment efforts at the community level. Erlita expressed optimism that the target of a TB-free Indonesia can be achieved if all parties strengthen collaboration and maintain a sustainable commitment.
“This is our shared responsibility. With strong collaboration between the government, health workers, PKK cadres, and the community, I am optimistic that the TB elimination target can be realised,” she said.
On the occasion, Erlita also urged the public to be more aware of TB symptoms, such as a cough lasting two weeks or more, unexplained weight loss, fever, and night sweats. People experiencing these symptoms are advised to immediately visit a health facility for early treatment.
Through the declaration of TB Alert Villages, the Batam City TP-PKK hopes that public awareness of TB prevention, early detection, and treatment will increase, so that the goal of making Batam and Indonesia TB-free can be achieved gradually through the collaboration of all elements of society.