By: Dhita Karuniawati )*
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious public health problem in Indonesia. With the highest number of cases in the world, Indonesia faces a major challenge in controlling and eliminating this infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although TB treatment is available free of charge through government health services, various obstacles such as low early detection, public stigma, and lack of knowledge about TB keep its spread high.
As a form of joint commitment to eradicating TB cases in Indonesia, the Government through the Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) launched a national joint movement to strengthen TB-alert villages and sub-districts.
The joint movement to strengthen villages and sub-districts on tuberculosis alert is an important and meaningful movement that is an important part of community-based TB prevention. Villages and sub-districts that prevent TB are areas that are ready and committed independently in preventing and handling TB in order to create a healthy and TB-free society. This movement does not only involve villages and sub-districts but various sectors and elements of society play an important role in working together to find and accompany TB patients until they recover.
The joint TB alert movement is in line with the mandate of Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 67 of 2021 concerning Tuberculosis Control, as the legal basis for handling TB nationally. The Perpres mentions several main strategies for controlling TB. Through this movement, it is hoped that the community will not only be an object, but also a subject in efforts to prevent and control TB.
The aim of strengthening TB alert villages and sub-districts is to empower communities and regional elements actively and independently in preventing, examining and treating TB until it is resolved.
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin said that TB is a disease that has existed for thousands of years and TB is also a disease that in the last 100 years has killed one billion people. TB is one of the diseases with the most victims. In Indonesia, it is estimated that one million people are affected by TB every year, and 125 thousand die. Therefore, the Minister of Health asked for support and cooperation from all parties to jointly carry out TB alert movements in their respective regions, so that TB cases can be immediately tracked and treated.
The Jakarta Provincial Government has formed a new volunteer unit called the White Troops in response to the increase in TB cases in the capital. The formation of this team marks a serious step by the Provincial Government in accelerating early detection and TB education directly in residential areas.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said that volunteers who are members of the White Troops consist of TB cadres and community workers who have received basic training. They will be deployed to areas that have recorded an increase in cases.
Pramono Anung said that currently the increase in TB cases has been monitored in several administrative areas. However, he appealed to the public not to panic and to continue to practice a clean and healthy lifestyle. The spike in cases was monitored especially in East Jakarta and South Jakarta. The White Troops cadres have begun to conduct outreach to the community.
The Jakarta provincial government relies on a community-based approach to reach residents who have difficulty accessing health services. The involvement of local cadres is considered a major strength of the program.
Meanwhile, Head of Jakarta Health Office Ani Ruspitawati said the Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) moved quickly to handle TB cases, such as taking quick and efficient action to detect, treat, and prevent transmission. The TB control program in Jakarta is a complete effort starting from preventive, promotive, curative or treatment, to rehabilitative.
Ani said that TB cases continue to increase from year to year. In 2024, her party even recorded 60,074 TB cases in Jakarta. The TB case data was obtained based on reports from health facilities and national digital-based TB case data reporting. This has been done for a long time. Since around 2010, TB case reporting has been digital-based and national in nature.
The Jakarta Provincial Government itself is targeting Jakarta to be free from TB by 2030. It is working hard to achieve the elimination of TB cases. For example, by forming TB Alert Villages in 274 RW in Jakarta.
Joint movement to strengthen TB alert villages and sub-districts must be an integral part of this national strategy. Support in the form of cadre training, strengthening village information systems, and incentives for active communities will accelerate the achievement of the national TB-free goal. In addition, the integration of TB programs with other health programs such as stunting, nutrition, immunization, and maternal-child health will make interventions more holistic and efficient.
Ending the TB epidemic in Indonesia is not just the task of medical personnel or the government. TB is a reflection of social inequality, lack of education, and weak community solidarity. Therefore, a joint movement to strengthen TB-prepared villages and sub-districts is a great hope in creating real change.
By involving all parties, namely community leaders, health cadres, youth, village officials, and of course patients and their families, we can realize the ideal of a TB-free Indonesia. Let’s join hands, strengthen alert villages and sub-districts, and ensure that no more residents suffer or lose their lives due to TB. Together, we can realize a TB-free Indonesia. Starting from the village, for a healthy Indonesia!
*) The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Strategic Information Study Institute
