Govt to expand integrated TB screening program to curb spread

 The Indonesian Ministry of Health will soon expand the integrated screening program for early identification of tuberculosis (TB) in a bid to curb the spread of the disease.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin in Sidoarjo, East Java, on Sunday, noted that the program has been piloted in eight community health centers (puskesmas), including those in Bandung, Bogor, and Semarang.

"By the end of this year, it will be expanded to 100 puskesmas in eight provinces," he affirmed.

According to him, the eight provinces are West Java, East Java, Central Java, North Sumatra, Jakarta, Banten, South Sulawesi, and East Nusa Tenggara.

Sadikin explained that the program includes chest X-rays, laboratory testing services performed in traditional laboratories or non-Point of Care Testing (non-POCT), as well as the provision of molecular rapid test kits, which will be implemented nationally in 2026.

He noted that implementing the program at puskesmas is more effective than implementing it in regional general hospitals because it makes it easier for the public to access the services for early detection.

He further said handling the TB disease is one of the three priority acceleration programs in the health sector initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, aimed at anticipating the spread of the infectious disease, which is predicted to claim around 125,000 lives in 2025.

The minister also emphasized that the use of the molecular rapid test kits simplifies the process of collecting patient samples using a swab method, eliminating the need for sputum samples while still providing results as accurate as laboratory examination.

"The issue in TB control is the detection or screening phase. If infected individuals can be detected early and accurately with the molecular rapid test and the program, the patient's healing process will be easier because TB medication is also already available," he said.