Deputy Health Minister: TB Cases in Indonesia Reach 1 Million, 867,000 Already Treated

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Health Benjamin Paulus Octavianus stated that there are currently 1.09 million tuberculosis (TB) cases in Indonesia. Of that number, 867,000 cases have already been treated. However, around 300,000 cases remain undetected. “TB cases in Indonesia are still quite high; even in terms of the number of cases, it is estimated that there are 1.09 million TB cases in Indonesia, and 867,000 cases were treated last year, so there are still nearly 300,000 cases that have not been found,” said Paulus during a press conference for World TB Day 2026 at the Ministry of Health office in South Jakarta on Monday (6/4/2026). Paulus said that this number presents a challenge for the Ministry of Health in eradicating the TB bacterium. “I want to explain that today, TB eradication is cross-sectoral; the Ministry of Health is at the forefront together with the Ministry of Home Affairs, but that is not enough. It must involve the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas, the Ministry of Manpower, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Food, and the Ministry of Environment; these are all interconnected,” he stated. Paulus added that his office, together with the Ministry of Home Affairs, will conduct widespread screening throughout 2026 to reduce TB cases in Indonesia. He noted that TB cases predominantly affect community groups in deciles 1-4, so prevention efforts need to be collaborative, particularly with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Food Coordinating Ministry, and the Ministry of Manpower.