Health authorities in Indonesia intensify tuberculosis detection

Health officials in Banjarbaru and Batu are ramping up efforts to detect tuberculosis (TBC) and manage rising respiratory issues. In Banjarbaru, the local government has called for strengthened early detection amid a surge in acute respiratory infections (ISPA) and acute diarrhea cases. Between October 11 and 17, 2026, the Banjarbaru Health Office recorded 184 ISPA cases and 307 diarrhea cases, exacerbated by smoke from forest and land fires.

In Batu, the Health Office reported a total of 589 tuberculosis cases. The highest concentration of cases is located in densely populated urban areas within the Batu District, specifically in the Sisir and Temas villages. Health officials are prioritizing contact tracing and early screening to prevent drug resistance and curb transmission, noting that many infected individuals remain asymptomatic and unaware of their status.