Jakarta, March 24 (NationPress) Indonesia is ramping up its battle against tuberculosis (TB) as it observes World TB Day on Tuesday. The country is implementing a comprehensive series of strategic initiatives aimed at reducing infections, enhancing case detection, and speeding up its ambitious target to eradicate the disease by 2030.

TB continues to pose a significant public health threat in Indonesia. As per the Global TB Report 2024, the nation holds the second-highest TB burden globally, following India. It is estimated that Indonesia records approximately 1.09 million TB cases and 125,000 deaths annually, translating to around 14 deaths every hour.

"Effective medication is available, yet the disease remains unresolved," stated Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin during a recent session in the House of Representatives in Jakarta.

He emphasized that Indonesia is amplifying efforts to address the alarming number of cases through synchronized national strategies and enhancements in healthcare system efficiency. The country aims to identify and connect one million TB patients to treatment within a year, targeting a treatment success rate of 90%.

The national anti-TB strategy encompasses the formulation of the National TB Strategic Plan 2025-2029, developed based on insights from a national TB program review supported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

This plan aims to evaluate progress, pinpoint systemic deficiencies, and outline priority actions to fortify the national TB response, improve case detection, enhance treatment outcomes, and foster community involvement.

Indonesia is also pursuing regulatory and financial reforms to aid in the elimination of TB. A collaborative review by the WHO suggested updating the 2021 presidential regulation on TB to reinforce legal authority, secure sustainable funding, and enhance coordination. It also recommended expanded screening, expedited referrals, and reduced diagnostic delays to bridge the gap between estimated and reported cases.

Since mid-2025, Indonesia has bolstered its surveillance and data systems as part of its anti-TB initiatives. Health authorities are incorporating the national TB Information System (SITB) into the broader Satu Sehat digital health platform to ensure more accurate and timely reporting across both public and private healthcare institutions.

These improved data systems are anticipated to help in identifying undiagnosed patients and effective resource allocation, especially among vulnerable demographics such as children and individuals living with HIV.

Officials pointed out that significant challenges remain with underreporting and underdiagnosis, with at least one in four TB cases previously undetected. By enhancing surveillance and expanding digital integration, the Indonesian government aims to ensure that no patient goes untreated while curbing ongoing transmission within communities.

The nation is also amplifying community-level interventions by reinforcing village health systems, increasing public awareness, and addressing upstream determinants such as smoking, undernutrition, diabetes, and alcohol dependency, which are known to heighten TB risk. These community-centric measures are deemed vital for preventing new infections and ensuring adherence to treatment.

Moreover, Indonesia is investing in innovation, especially in vaccine development, and is preparing for the potential launch of a TB vaccine by 2028 or 2029, as reported by Xinhua.

The TB vaccine candidate M72/AS01E has advanced to phase 3 clinical trials in Indonesia, representing a pivotal step toward possible large-scale approval and use. The trials involve over 2,000 participants nationwide and are expected to conclude around 2028, paving the way for broader implementation if proven safe and effective.

Health expert and Chair of the honorary board of the Indonesian Society of Respirology, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, noted that the new vaccine aims to prevent tuberculosis in adults and could potentially replace the existing BCG vaccine, while also acting as a booster to enhance its protective effects.

"The new vaccine is also anticipated to serve as a form of immunotherapy or adjuvant treatment, aiding in reducing the duration of TB treatment," he stated.