Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Emphasises Cross-Sector Collaboration to Accelerate TB Elimination in Java

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Akhmad Wiyagus, has emphasised the importance of an integrated strategy to accelerate the elimination of tuberculosis (TB) as part of fulfilling basic public health services. These efforts are directed towards cross-sector collaboration, particularly on the island of Java, which serves as a key region for national TB management.

“Alongside the Deputy Minister of Health, I am not disregarding other provinces, but we will focus on Java,” Wiyagus stated in his remarks on Tuesday (29/09/2024).

He made these comments during the Monitoring and Evaluation Meeting for Active Case Finding (ACF) of Tuberculosis in Central Java Province, held at the Anaya Azana Hotel, Karanganyar, Central Java, on Monday (28/09).

He explained that the acceleration of TB elimination must be carried out comprehensively, ranging from case detection and treatment to the prevention of transmission. The government is also encouraging the monitoring of the fulfilment of Minimum Service Standards (SPM) for health in the regions, as well as the development of the ‘TB Alert Village’ movement by involving village pillars and community cadres.

In an effort to break the chain of transmission, Wiyagus emphasised the importance of tracing close contacts of patients and providing TB Preventive Therapy (TPT). He will also personally monitor the progress of TPT administration on a regular basis to ensure optimal implementation.

“Every week, every two weeks, or every month, I will directly lead or check the progress of TPT administration to close contacts,” he explained.

On the other hand, Wiyagus appreciated the commitment of local governments, including in the preparation of action plan documents to support the acceleration of TB elimination. He hopes that cross-sector synergy will be maintained so that the various prepared steps can run consistently and sustainably.

“We will continue to work because this is a constitutional mandate and a great dream of the President to eliminate our position as second in the world for TB,” he concluded.

For information, the meeting was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Health Benjamin Paulus Octavianus; the Regional Secretary of Central Java Province Sumarno, representing the Governor of Central Java; the Regent of Karanganyar Rober Christanto; the Director of Deconcentration, Assistance Tasks, and Cooperation of the Directorate General of Regional Administration of the Ministry of Home Affairs Elfin Elyas; as well as various heads of provincial and district/city health offices.