Deputy Health Minister: Accelerating TB Elimination a Top National Priority

Deputy Minister of Health (Wamenkes) of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr Benyamin Paulus Octavianus, has stated that accelerating the elimination of Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top national priorities under President Prabowo Subianto’s Best Quick Results Programme (PHTC). He made the statement during a working visit to Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra, on Wednesday. The Deputy Minister visited Simalungun Regency to review the implementation of Integrated Tuberculosis Screening as part of the Free Health Check-up (CKG) programme. On the occasion, he reminded attendees that Indonesia still ranks second in the world for the highest number of TB cases, necessitating extraordinary measures to realise the vision of a TB-free Indonesia. Although the treatment success rate for TB patients in Indonesia has reached over 90 per cent, the Deputy Minister cautioned that the biggest challenge currently lies in the early detection of close contacts or family members living in the same household as sufferers. As a tangible form of central government support, Simalungun Regency has received one portable X-ray unit and will receive an additional three units. The device, which weighs only about three kilogrammes, greatly facilitates health workers in conducting screenings directly in remote areas, hills, and isolated villages. With the establishment of 228 loci for the implementation of TB CKG screening in the Simalungun area, the Regent hopes that the reach of services will expand further, cases can be detected earlier, and cross-sector collaboration will be strengthened. “Of course, support from all parties is necessary so that the programme can truly succeed,” he said.