Community Police Officers in Central Java Trained as Tuberculosis Tracers

The Central Java Regional Police are training Bhabinkamtibmas (Community Police Officers) to become tracers for tuberculosis (TB) sufferers to support government efforts in tackling the infectious disease. The Head of the Medical and Health Division of the Central Java Regional Police, Kombes Pol. Agung Hadi Wijanaryo, stated in Semarang on Saturday that this training is part of the ‘Central Java Regional Police Care to Eradicate Pulmonary TB’ programme. In addition to receiving training, every Bhabinkamtibmas officer will be provided with a pocket guide for TB patient tracing. Operational cars and motorcycles will also be prepared to transport TB patients in need of healthcare services. According to Agung, five regions in Central Java have high TB case numbers, namely Brebes, Banyumas, Tegal, Cilacap, and Semarang City. He noted that the success rate for TB management in Indonesia currently stands at 86 per cent, while the discovery rate for new cases is approximately 77 per cent. Consequently, Bhabinkamtibmas officers are being trained as tracers to assist in early case detection, provide community education, and ensure patients receive appropriate treatment. ‘The handling of TB cases needs to be strengthened through cross-sector collaboration,’ said Agung.