Indonesia Ranks Second Globally for TB Cases, WHO Highlights Many Undetected Instances
Indonesia continues to face a serious threat from tuberculosis (TB). The World Health Organization (WHO) states that Indonesia now ranks second globally for the highest number of TB cases, surpassed only by India.
The WHO Representative for Indonesia, Dr Setiawan Jati Laksono, notes that the global TB burden remains concentrated in several countries, including Indonesia. This situation indicates that TB management is uneven and remains a major challenge in many developing nations.
“Eight countries account for around 67% of the world’s TB cases. Number one is India, number two Indonesia, number three the Philippines,” Setiawan said during a press conference marking World TB Day at the Ministry of Health in Jakarta on Monday (6/4/2026).
He also highlighted Indonesia’s significant contribution to global cases. This position makes Indonesia’s role crucial in efforts to reduce worldwide TB numbers.
“Indonesia contributes about one in 10 TB cases globally,” he added.
Behind the high case numbers, the fundamental issue lies in detection. Many TB sufferers remain unidentified and thus untreated. Setiawan stressed that this gap is the primary challenge in global TB control.
“Out of around 10.7 million TB cases worldwide each year, about 2.4 million are still undiscovered. This is the problem,” he explained.
This situation allows TB transmission to continue silently in communities. Without early detection, breaking the chain of transmission becomes much more difficult.
Mortality Remains High, But Starting to Decline
TB remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious disease worldwide. However, trends in Indonesia show improvement in recent years. Setiawan noted that the decline in mortality rates signals positive progress in the TB management system.
“In Indonesia, there has been a decline since 2021, and currently, it has dropped by about 18%,” he said.
However, he cautioned that this achievement is not yet sufficient to meet global elimination targets. Accelerated efforts are still very much needed.
The Indonesian government has set ambitious steps in tackling TB. These targets are part of the national commitment to reduce the burden of infectious diseases. Setiawan said these targets reflect policy directions that are on the right track.
“Indonesia aims to halve TB incidence by 2029,” Setiawan stated.
Despite the grand targets, field challenges are not insignificant. From funding to the emergence of drug-resistant TB, these are serious obstacles. In his data, Setiawan said these issues occur not only in Indonesia but also in many countries with high TB burdens.
“There are still many undiagnosed cases, the rising risk of drug-resistant TB, and funding gaps in countries with high TB burdens,” he elaborated.
Additionally, risk factors such as malnutrition, diabetes, and smoking habits exacerbate the situation. These factors significantly contribute to new cases.
Amid various challenges, technological advancements bring new hope in TB management. Diagnosis can now be faster and more accurate, potentially accelerating TB control significantly.
“Now there is faster TB diagnosis with molecular technology, and treatment is also shorter, from six months to around four months,” he said.
He also stated that TB management success does not depend solely on technology. Policy factors and cross-sector collaboration are key determinants, and this is the momentum that must be seized to accelerate TB control.
“This is the right time to accelerate TB control, with strong national commitment and community support,” he concluded.
Based on World Health Organization (WHO) data, the eight countries with the highest TB cases:
India - 25%
Indonesia - 10%
Philippines - 6.8%
China - 6.5%
Pakistan - 6.3%
Nigeria - 4.8%
DR Congo - 3.9%
Bangladesh - 3.6%