The main burden due to tuberculosis on the country is the loss of productivity when the productive age groups are the most affected by the disease
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Tuberculosis has had an impact on lowering the productivity levels in Indonesia, as productive age groups were most affected by this communicable bacterial disease, according to Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.

"The main burden due to tuberculosis on the country is the loss of productivity when the productive age groups are the most affected by the disease," the vice president remarked while giving directions at the peak event to commemorate World Tuberculosis Day 2021 here on Wednesday.

Amin considers tuberculosis as a disease that is not easy to address as it is related to various social factors, such as population density, nutritional problems, poverty, and public awareness of healthy living.

"The impact due to the high number of tuberculosis cases in Indonesia is far greater than the burden of the cost of treating the disease itself," he remarked.

Based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Vice President stated that 10 million people globally are included in the category of new cases of tuberculosis.

"Indonesia is a country, with the third-highest burden of tuberculosis in the world, after India and China," he pointed out.

Tuberculosis cases in Indonesia are projected at 845 thousand, with the death rate reaching 93 thousand cases. Of these cases, 32 percent yet have no access to treatment and are potentially contagious.

Hence, Vice President Amin urged all parties related to health services to ramp up their endeavors to control tuberculosis, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In accordance with the WHO estimates, deaths from tuberculosis will increase by 400 thousand worldwide, or cause about 46 deaths per hour, if essential tuberculosis services are disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic," Amin pointed out.

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Translator: Fransiska Ninditya, Katriana
Editor: Sri Haryati
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