Indonesia champions central-regional collaboration in TB control
“Tuberculosis control in Indonesia requires an extraordinary approach, which involves coordination with regional leaders,” Benjamin said in Malang, East Java, on Thursday, after a technical facilitation event on regional tuberculosis intervention and control.
He noted that collaboration has delivered positive results in case detection, which saw a significant increase from 48 percent in 2020 to over 80 percent in 2025.
However, he added that these gains must continue to be strengthened so that TB can be fully eradicated.
According to Benjamin, contact tracing also targets close contacts, including individuals living in the same household as a TB patient. Those in close contact will receive priority access to free health checkups.
He also urged sub-district and village heads to support the local health office by strengthening coordination and educating residents to participate in screenings.
To speed up TB detection, the Ministry of Health is preparing the allocation of X-ray devices for regions.
On the same occasion, Safrizal Zakaria Ali, Director General of Regional Administration at the Ministry of Home Affairs, stated that addressing tuberculosis has become a priority for President Prabowo Subianto.
Therefore, all parties must collaborate to effectively carry out screening, tracing, testing, and treatment efforts.
He added that mutual cooperation is an integral part of implementing a multi-pronged strategy to fast-track TB eradication in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Malang Mayor Wahyu Hidayat assured that the city’s government officials down to the neighborhood level will follow up on the president’s directives by conducting comprehensive tracing and regular monitoring of TB cases.
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Translator: Ananto Pradana, Raka Adji