Indonesia officials urge cross-sector collaboration to combat tuberculosis

Indonesian government officials are emphasizing the need for cross-sector collaboration to combat tuberculosis (TB) and improve public health through early detection. During a visit to Ciamis, West Java, Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus highlighted the importance of screening individuals in close contact with TB patients. He noted that those without symptoms should receive preventive medication, while those diagnosed must undergo immediate treatment.

Octavianus also promoted the Free Health Check (CKG) program as a vital strategy for detecting not only TB but also hypertension and diabetes, which can lead to serious complications like kidney failure if left untreated. He stressed that reducing TB transmission requires consistent efforts from local governments and the community.

Supporting this view, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Akhmad Wiyagus stated that TB management is not solely a health sector responsibility. He argued that the disease impacts social productivity, family finances, and the broader economy. Wiyagus noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs oversees the administrative aspects of health services from the provincial level down to community health centers (Puskesmas), necessitating integrated governance to manage the socio-economic consequences of the disease.