Jakarta (VNA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno has declared tuberculosis (TB) in Indonesia an emergency, calling for a level of serious handling as when the country was battling with COVID-19.
This is a serious issue, he said, stressing TB handling must be mainstreamed to create a critical mass and a strong social movement, from the grassroots to national leadership.
He emphasised that TB is a national problem requiring comprehensive action from all sectors. TB-related deaths globally have reached one billion over the past 200 years, or about five million annually, surpassing global COVID-19 fatalities.
According to the Global Tuberculosis Report 2024 by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Indonesia ranks second after India in TB cases, with 1.09 million cases and 125 thousand deaths reported.
Therefore, Pratikno urged real action, including raising public awareness through pop culture, expanding mandatory screening for accurate data and prevention of transmission, and ensuring patients complete their treatment. Moreover, health promotion and behavior change are key to preventing continued transmission and fatalities.
He explained that the Ministry has appealed directly to the President for TB to be discussed in a limited cabinet meeting, aiming to align the President's directives with grassroots action.
COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito echoed this, noting the success of COVID-19 control relied on strong leadership, cross-sector coordination, and a sense of urgency. If COVID-19 could be brought under control, TB can also be handled with a similar approach, as long as there is strong leadership and public support, he stressed./.
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