WHO Reveals Four Major Global Challenges in Combating Tuberculosis

The WHO Indonesia representative, Setiawan Jati Laksono, stated that globally, there are four major problems for the tuberculosis (TB) control programme. First, there are still many undiagnosed cases. Second, there is an increasing risk of drug-resistant TB. “For Indonesia, the estimated incidence of drug-resistant TB is 26,000. Indonesia’s Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) profile has decreased from an estimated 32,000 in 2023-2024 to now 26,000. This is one reflection that we have succeeded in maintaining the quality of treatment, especially for drug-sensitive TB. If this is not controlled, the graph will rise, and the economic burden will also be significant,” Setiawan said during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday (6/4). The third challenge in TB control is the financing gap for countries with a high TB burden. WHO conducted a study in high-TB-burden countries in 2023, finding that for every USD1 invested in TB control activities, there is a return on investment of USD39 in societal capital. “So this is one of the health programmes that has a broad impact on system improvements, not only the health system but also its social structure,” he said. The next challenge is that TB risk factors are not only related to transmission but also malnutrition, diabetes, and smoking, as out of 10.7 million cases, 3 million are contributed by malnutrition, diabetes, and smoking.