Ministry of Health Reveals Provinces with the Highest TB Cases in Indonesia

The tuberculosis (TB) burden in Indonesia remains high, posing a major challenge to the health sector. The government has disclosed that the number of TB cases in the country is estimated to have exceeded one million, though not all have been addressed.

Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, dr. Benjamin Paulus Octavianus, highlighted the high number of TB cases in several regions with large populations, including West Java and Banten. These two areas are a focus due to their contribution to the national case figures.

“West Java is the province with the highest number of TB cases in Indonesia, followed by Banten which also records high numbers,” he stated.

He emphasised that population density and environmental conditions are the main factors in the spread of TB in those regions. Therefore, interventions are not only focused on treatment but also on environmental improvements and early detection.

“Areas with dense populations like West Java and Banten are indeed a concern, because the cases are high and transmission is rapid,” Benjamin remarked.

The government is now promoting a more aggressive approach in those areas, including active screening and comprehensive examinations in patients’ family environments. To pursue undetected cases, the government is also relying on the Free Health Check (CGK) programme as one of the main strategies.

Benjamin stated that through this programme, the public can undergo health checks more easily, including for early TB detection. With more people participating in screening, it is hoped that hidden TB cases can be quickly identified and treated.

“If we can find them earlier, we can also stop transmission sooner,” he said.

TB remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious disease in the world. Nevertheless, trends in Indonesia have begun to show improvement in recent years.