DPR Member Proposes Expanding Early Detection to Curb TB Transmission

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chair of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Nihayatul Wafiroh, has proposed that the government expand early detection of tuberculosis (TB) to reduce the number of transmission cases for the disease.

“The large number of suspects indicates that the potential for transmission in the community remains very high. Early detection must be expanded so that cases are found more quickly and the chain of transmission is broken as soon as possible,” said Ninik, the familiar name for Nihayatul Wafiroh, quoted in Jakarta on Thursday.

She made this statement in response to the high number of TB cases in Banyuwangi Regency. Based on the latest data, 3,169 residents of Banyuwangi have been confirmed positive for TB, while more than 27,000 other residents are suspects.

“If productive-age individuals fall due to TB, productivity decreases and family economies are certainly affected. This is a challenge that we must address across sectors,” she said.

Although the case numbers are quite high, Ninik appreciated the proactive steps taken by the Banyuwangi Health Office in conducting contact tracing down to the community level. She reminded that case detection must be accompanied by patient commitment to full recovery.

Several crucial points emphasised by Ninik include treatment compliance. She stated that patients must complete Anti-Tuberculosis Drug (OAT) therapy for at least six months without interruption.

She urged the public to optimally utilise the government’s free treatment programme. “Local governments are also obliged to ensure the availability of drug stocks and the quality of patient support in the field,” she said.

In the future, Ninik said, with strong collaboration between the government, health workers, and public awareness, the target of eliminating TB in Banyuwangi and nationally can be achieved.

Previously, Deputy Minister of Health Benjamin Paulus Octavianus stated that accelerating TB elimination through Free Health Checks (CKG) and innovations offers hope in addressing transmission and deaths due to the disease.

Deputy Minister Benjamin said Indonesia records more than one million TB cases annually, making it one of the countries with the highest TB burden in the world.

Therefore, the government is pushing for rapid action through massive early detection, including the CKG Programme targeting 130 million people by 2026.