By: Dhita Karuniawati
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious health challenge in Indonesia. The disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria attacks the lungs and can spread to other organs. Despite being well-known and having effective treatment, TB continues to be a health challenge. However, the government has shown remarkable efforts to significantly reduce it. In response to this challenge, the Indonesian government has launched the National TB Alert Movement, a major initiative that demonstrates a strong commitment to eradicating TB comprehensively by 2030.
The Indonesian government reaffirms its commitment to eradicating Tuberculosis (TB) comprehensively through the launch of the Gerakan Bersama Penguatan Desa dan Kelurahan Siaga TBC (Joint Movement for Strengthening TB-Alert Villages and Subdistricts). This initiative is part of the Program Hasil Terbaik Cepat (PHTC) initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, in response to the high number of TB cases in Indonesia, which exceed one million cases per year.
Senior Expert at the Presidential Communications Office, Hariqo Wibawa Satria, stated that the acceleration of TB elimination is one of the top priorities of the Prabowo administration. This effort aims to protect all Indonesians from the threat of this deadly infectious disease. The government is committed to accelerating the elimination of TB so that it will no longer be a major health issue in the country.
The Gerakan Bersama Penguatan Desa dan Kelurahan Siaga TBC was officially launched by the Ministry of Health on May 9, 2025, at the Rambutan Subdistrict Office in Ciracas, East Jakarta. The public could watch the launch live through national television channels or the Ministry of Health’s official YouTube channel.
The Gerakan Bersama Penguatan Desa dan Kelurahan Siaga TBC is a national mobilization movement aimed at raising awareness, participation, and concrete action from all elements of society. This movement is a tangible example of the government’s inclusive approach in building cross-sector collaboration, involving the central and regional governments, healthcare services, civil society organizations, patient communities, businesses, academics, and the general public. This multi-party collaboration aims to accelerate early detection, improve access to treatment, and eliminate the stigma against TB patients.
Currently, Indonesia is the second country with the highest number of TB cases in the world, after India. Every year, around 125,000 people die from this disease. Globally, TB still infects more than 10 million people and causes over a million deaths annually.
Hariqo stated that through the Gerakan Bersama Desa dan Kelurahan Siaga TBC, they aim to build cross-sector collaboration. The active role of village and subdistrict officials is crucial in empowering communities to fight TB.
The World Health Organization (WHO) aims for global TB elimination by 2050, reducing its incidence to less than one case per million people. However, the Indonesian government has set a more ambitious target: eliminating TB by 2030, 20 years ahead of the WHO’s target.
To achieve this, the government targets detecting 90% of TB cases by 2025, initiating treatment for 100% of detected patients, and achieving a treatment success rate of over 80%. Various strategies are being prepared, such as strengthening promotion and prevention efforts, utilizing technology, integrating data between hospitals and community health centers (Puskesmas), and developing more effective TB vaccines.
Hariqo emphasized that being infected with TB is not the end of the road. The disease can be cured with the right and disciplined treatment. He urged people to stop the stigma and negative thinking towards TB patients, as it hinders the healing process.
Hariqo also stressed that TB treatment has been free of charge since 2016. The government’s major success in combating TB has been strengthened by the full support of the community across the country.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk urged regional governments (Pemda) to proactively support the Gerakan Bersama Penguatan Desa dan Kelurahan Siaga TBC, launched by Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin. This joint movement needs to be quickly responded to by all regions in Indonesia.
Ribka also encouraged Pemda to accommodate this program, particularly in terms of budget. TB handling is supported by strong legal foundations, including the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 67/2021 on TB Control. Her office will check whether regional governments at the provincial and district/city levels have implemented the program.
Ribka also expressed appreciation to the regions, including Rambutan Subdistrict, for their attention to TB control.
Through the Gerakan Bersama Desa dan Kelurahan Siaga TBC, the developed strategies include patient registration for treatment, contact investigations, stigma elimination, improving access to transportation to healthcare services, and other ongoing efforts based on territorial areas.
Eliminating TB is part of the President and Vice President’s quick win in the Program Hasil Terbaik Cepat (PHTC) for 2025, as well as a tangible realization of the Asta Cita or eight national development goals.
TB is a longstanding threat that still jeopardizes the nation’s future health. However, with the government’s strong commitment through the National TB Alert Movement, and the active participation of all elements of society, it is not impossible for Indonesia to achieve TB elimination by 2030. Collaboration, education, innovation, and solidarity are the keys to realizing a TB-free, healthy, productive, and dignified Indonesia.
