Surakarta Police Community Officers Involved as Pulmonary TB Tracers
All Bhabinkamtibmas officers under the Surakarta City Police (Polresta Surakarta) are being deployed as tracers in a pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) case tracking programme in Solo. The programme is a collaboration between the Indonesian National Police (Polri) and the Surakarta City Government to support the target of TB elimination by 2030.
Deputy Chief of Surakarta Police, AKBP Sigit, stated that the involvement of Bhabinkamtibmas is a form of police care in supporting the accelerated handling and control of infectious diseases at the community level. “This TB tracing programme is a form of Polri’s commitment, collaborating with the City Health Office to accelerate the management and control of infectious diseases in Solo,” Sigit said during a briefing at the Surakarta Police Headquarters on Tuesday.
The activity was also attended by the Head of the Medical and Health Division of the Central Java Regional Police, Kombes Agung Hadi Wijanayo, and the Head of the Surakarta City Health Office, Retno Erawati Wulandari.
Under this programme, Bhabinkamtibmas officers will assist in the early detection of pulmonary TB cases within their respective sub-districts (kelurahan). They are expected to serve as the frontline of community service by monitoring and tracking residents who show potential symptoms of TB. Sigit emphasised that the programme must not remain merely ceremonial but must be implemented sustainably in the field to provide a real impact on TB control efforts.
He noted that cross-sector collaboration between the police and the Health Office is a strategic step in accelerating case findings so that patients can immediately receive appropriate medical treatment through available health facilities.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Surakarta City Health Office, Retno Erawati Wulandari, welcomed the involvement of Bhabinkamtibmas in the tracing programme. She noted that police support would strengthen government efforts to reduce TB rates in Solo. Retno explained that Solo is a high-mobility city, attracting people from various regions, which poses a significant risk for the spread of infectious diseases.
“Solo is an area visited by many people from various regions. Therefore, more maximal prevention and anticipation steps are required, especially for coughs lasting more than two weeks,” she said. She emphasised that TB control cannot be handled by the Health Office alone and requires the support of all stakeholders, including the police, who have networks reaching the sub-district level.
The Head of the Medical and Health Division of the Central Java Regional Police, Kombes Agung Hadi Wijanarko, added that the collaboration between healthcare workers and regional authorities is a vital factor in accelerating TB management. While healthcare professionals remain responsible for medical aspects and patient care, Bhabinkamtibmas will play a role in mobilising community leaders and residents to support prevention and control programmes.
Through this tracing programme, Polresta Surakarta and the Surakarta City Government hope that TB cases can be identified more quickly to suppress transmission, contributing to the goal of a healthier, more productive society and the 2030 TB elimination target.