Ministry of Health and Housing Ministry Collaborate to Renovate 2,000 Houses in 2026 to Prevent TB

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has announced a cross-sectoral collaboration, including with the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements (PKP), to renovate 2,000 homes in 2026 to ensure well-ventilated housing as a measure to prevent tuberculosis (TB).

Deputy Minister of Health Benjamin Paulus Octavianus stated that TB is commonly found among residents registered in Deciles 1-4 of the National Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN), which includes aid recipients.

Deputy Minister Benny emphasised that substandard homes owned by the underprivileged must be addressed, as poor ventilation can cause TB bacteria to linger for months.

“You know, tuberculosis bacteria die in the air after 15 to 30 minutes of exposure to sunlight. But in homes without ventilation, or with poor ventilation where sunlight cannot enter and oxygen cannot circulate properly, tuberculosis bacteria can survive for months in that room or house,” said the Deputy Minister in Jakarta on Monday.

For 2026, the ministry will assist in renovating 2,000 homes, prioritising the most needy deciles, such as Deciles 1-2.

“We prioritise those who need it most, so this time we have succeeded; next year we want to request more, perhaps 10,000 homes. This will be scaled up with funding from the Ministry of PKP,” said Deputy Minister Benny.

The ministry has submitted data on 3,000 homes eligible for renovation. In this renovation initiative, the two ministries are also collaborating with the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos).

The ministry is also strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), as that ministry has authority over regional hospitals and community health centres.

TB elimination is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s best quick-result programmes in the health sector.