"It is essential to support the patients and their families. We should not stigmatize because stigma hinders the success of TB handling," the ministry's Director of Communicable Diseases, Ina Agustina Isturini, remarked here on Tuesday.
Although TB remains a disease that instills fear in many, Isturini emphasized that it is curable if detected early and if the treatment is completed properly. Screening can also help prevent its transmission.
"To prevent it, when there is a TB case, we need to investigate the contacts, those who live in the same house, and the groups that have a high risk of getting infected with TB," she remarked.
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Hence, people showing symptoms of TB are encouraged to visit a hospital for diagnosis, while those who have been in contact with TB patients should report it to ensure they receive medication.
"Once a person with TB has been treated, they will no longer be contagious within one to two months. However, on the other hand, if they do not take proper treatment, it will spread," she explained.
Isturini highlighted the importance of educating and informing the public to raise awareness and support efforts to control and prevent TB effectively.
She assessed that addressing this issue cannot solely rely on government efforts.
"Cross-sectoral collaboration from central level to regional level is needed, involving academicians, private parties, the community, and media." she outlined.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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