Central Java to Become a Model for Tuberculosis Control
“I will promote this tuberculosis control model in Central Java as one that should be adopted by all regions in Indonesia,” Wiyagus said while reviewing integrated active case-finding (ACF) for tuberculosis, free health checks (CKG) and the Mobile Specialist Doctor (Speling) service at the Demak regent’s residence on Wednesday (14 October 2026).
He was accompanied by Deputy Health Minister Benyamin Paulus Oktavianus. The two visited three districts in Central Java to inspect the innovative services in person.
Before arriving in Demak, similar visits had been successfully conducted in Jepara and Kudus on Tuesday (13 October).
Central Java Regional Secretary Sumarno said that tackling tuberculosis required more than simply identifying cases and treating patients.
Tracing close contacts and providing tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) to people at risk of infection were also vital, particularly to break the chain of transmission in the community.
“The challenge is to find cases and then treat them. But it is just as important to follow up with the close contacts of TB patients,” Sumarno said.
He said that if case detection was not accompanied by effective follow-up with close contacts, tuberculosis cases could continue to emerge in the years ahead. Prevention measures therefore needed to be carried out alongside detection and treatment.
Sumarno also welcomed the central government’s strong support for improving health facilities and infrastructure in Central Java, including community health centres and hospitals. He said effective cooperation between central and regional governments could accelerate efforts to control tuberculosis.
He further emphasised the importance of strengthening TB Alert Villages. Involving a range of groups at village level, he said, helped medical staff reach residents.
Demak Regency was one example of successful collaboration, actively involving village supervisory non-commissioned officers (Babinsa) and community security and public order officers (Bhabinkamtibmas).
The involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and National Police had proved effective in educating residents and raising awareness before health workers conducted further examinations.
“We hope the collaborative approach in Demak can be replicated in other parts of Central Java, so active TB case-finding and preventive follow-up can be carried out more effectively,” Sumarno said.