According to Sadikin, this enhanced target builds upon the ministry's 2024 objectives and is part of a broader strategy to eliminate TB in Indonesia by 2030.
He explained that in 2022, the discovery of TB cases increased from 400 thousand per year to 700 thousand. This figure also rose to 840 thousand cases annually in 2023.
"We must reach 900 thousand cases this year based on names, addresses, and registration in our system. So far, the finding is still below the target. For next year, we will increase it to one million," he remarked at the High-Level Meeting on TB Innovation in Badung, Bali, on Monday.
Health Minister Sadikin acknowledged the significant challenge of reaching the one-million TB case detection target. He noted that increasing the target from 900 thousand to one million cases was proving to be more challenging than the previous increase from 400 thousand to 900 thousand cases.
Hence, the government is still formulating ways to improve surveillance and examinations, including utilizing existing equipment while looking for the best appropriate technology, he remarked.
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"We need to examine around seven million to eight million people every year to reach the one million findings," he noted.
Despite their high cost and limited availability from a single vendor, Minister Sadikin expressed appreciation for Indonesia's two thousand Molecular Rapid Test (TCM) machines.
To expand testing capacity, Sadikin said the ministry is also utilizing approximately one thousand COVID-19 testing machines that are already distributed throughout Indonesia.
Currently, the ministry is seeking the right method and technology adjusted to its cost standards.
Sadikin is eyeing the application of a system, priced at just US$2 per examination, to realize the case detection target of one million by 2025.
Furthermore, the minister aims to begin tuberculosis vaccine production by late 2028, aligning with Indonesia's goal to eliminate TB by 2030.
Related news: Indonesia steps up TB fight, aims to detect 900k more cases
Translator: Ni Putu Putri M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
