Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Wiyagus Urges Collaboration to Accelerate TB Elimination in Java

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 in 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 during the Monitoring and Evaluation Meeting for Active Case Finding (ACF) of Tuberculosis in Central Java, held in Karanganyar, Central Java, on Monday (28/09/202 $ ext{X}$).

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 supervision 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 Treatment (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 once a month, I will directly lead or check the progress of TPT administration to close contacts,” he explained.

Furthermore, Wiyagus expressed appreciation for 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 prepared measures 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.