Health Ministry expands free TB screening coverage to Islamic boarding schools

Jombang, East Java (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) is expanding the coverage of free tuberculosis (TB) screening or early detection to Islamic boarding schools (ponpes), one of which is Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School in Jombang, East Java.

“To expand early detection, the Ministry of Health will purchase thousands of X-ray devices that can be used to conduct screening on a broad scale. Examinations will be brought to various locations, including schools, Islamic boarding schools, and correctional institutions, especially places with dense residential or dormitory patterns,” said Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin at SMA A. Wahid Hasyim Tebuireng, Jombang, on Thursday.

During his visit to monitor the TB screening, Budi also received a report that 26 students were indicated to have TB. However, this should not be subject to negative stigma and is instead a positive finding because patients can immediately receive early treatment.

“After undergoing treatment for about one month, the risk of transmission can stop. Therefore, the public does not need to regard TB as an embarrassing disease, considering that treatment is already available free of charge and is effective,” said Budi.

The Health Minister hopes that the TB screening programme can be expanded to around 42,000 other Islamic boarding schools. Budi also appreciated the management of Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, which is one of the boarding schools that has started TB screening for its students.

President Prabowo Subianto wants TB to be eliminated in Indonesia as soon as possible. This disease is a serious problem because it causes around 120,000–140,000 deaths per year in Indonesia, and is even said to be higher than deaths due to COVID-19. Every five minutes, an estimated two people die from TB.

Indonesia is currently ranked second with the highest TB burden after India. In fact, TB medication is already available and effective. The high death rate is partly caused by many cases being detected late because the screening process has so far required examinations such as X-rays, and sometimes PCR tests.