Don't Ignore It: Local Governments Urged to Be More Active in Eliminating TB in Regions

A pulmonary specialist, Prof Erlina Burhan, is encouraging local governments to take an active role in efforts to eliminate and manage tuberculosis (TB). “The role of local government or pemda is very important. The indicators are case detection/notification, treatment success, and reductions in incidence and mortality rates,” said Erlina when contacted on Monday (5/4). Nevertheless, she continues to appreciate the government’s steps in addressing TB. However, the TB elimination programme must be monitored to ensure its implementation is optimal. “It seems that much has already been done, but there must be field monitoring to check whether all strategies have been implemented optimally. We also need to look at its sustainability,” she stated. In addition, Erlina highlighted the government’s efforts to renovate homes for 2,000 TB patients living in unworthy conditions, with the hope that TB bacteria will not spread and settle in the homes. “This is one effort to reduce transmission, which I agree with. But other activities must also be optimised, such as case detection, treatment efforts until cure, prevention efforts, eliminating stigma, helping the economic needs of families affected by TB, and others,” she explained. It is known that TB bacteria spread quickly in unworthy homes without ventilation and sunlight, where TB germs can spread rapidly and survive for months.