Ministry launches TB Handbook to achieve TB elimination goal

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Health launched the Tuberculosis (TB) Handbook and Flip Chart on Wednesday to bolster the capacity of health workers and cadres to support the goal of eliminating TB by 2030.

In a statement received here on Thursday, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin noted that Indonesia is still facing a big challenge in the handling of TB, which causes 136 thousand deaths per year in the country.

To this end, early detection and comprehensive treatment are needed to tackle the challenge.

"We are targeting to detect one million TB cases this year from WHO's estimation of 1.08 million cases. In addition to detecting, we must also ensure that at least 90 percent of patients started and completed treatment," he remarked.

Sadikin noted that innovative approaches, such as assistance for patients by cadres and health workers, will continue to be strengthened.

The minister stated that the handbook was prepared to help cadres effectively educate the community on the importance of treatment.

In addition, the ministry is improving the treatment regime to be shorter and more effective, both for drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB patients.

According to Sadikin, TB elimination is one of the government's commitments in three quick win programs to improve the quality of public health with better, more equitable, and more effective health services.

The minister noted that the three quick win programs cover providing free health screening for 280 million people, accelerating TB handling, and developing hospitals in underdeveloped districts and cities as well as remote areas.

"They all are expected to fully run in January, in accordance with the quick win principle, namely providing quick and accurate results," he remarked.

The minister also expressed appreciation to all health cadres who have been at the forefront of TB elimination programs.