Ministry urges universities and regional governments in Central Sulawesi to synergise in tackling TB

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) is encouraging all higher education institutions in Central Sulawesi to strengthen synergy with local governments in resolving health and social issues, particularly the handling of tuberculosis (TB).

“Central Sulawesi is currently facing challenges such as tuberculosis symptoms that are considered massive, so this needs to become a priority, including the handling of stunting, poverty, and unemployment which require joint intervention,” said Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Fauzan in Palu on Saturday.

He said that the complexity of problems in the regions requires a combined acceleration of local government policy, community strength, and the academic capacity of higher education institutions.

“I think we are all ready to join hands in solving the problems that exist in the Central Sulawesi region,” he said.

He said that higher education institutions or campuses must be able to become part of the social entity within the community.

“Higher education institutions have a social responsibility, not merely an academic responsibility,” he said.

“A campus is a place for excellent human beings. A campus is an ecosystem inhabited by an academic community, intelligent people, and scholarly people,” he said.

Fauzan said that the greatness of a campus must be demonstrated through how much benefit the campus brings to the lives of the surrounding community.

It is known that seven public and private universities are cooperating in handling tuberculosis, including Tadulako University, Alkhairat University, Tompotika Luwuk University, Muhammadiyah Palu University, Widya Nusantara University, the Health Polytechnic, and STIK Indonesia Jaya, including collaboration with health service units such as Untad Hospital, the Central Sulawesi Regional Health Laboratory, community health centres, and other local governments.

Based on central government data, tuberculosis case detection in Central Sulawesi Province still shows a considerable gap in finding tuberculosis cases in the community.

The highest achievement in the data is in Palu City, with 1,075 cases. This is followed by Parigi Moutong Regency with 546 cases, and Banggai Regency with 510 cases. Meanwhile, the other 10 regions are below 500 cases.