To support the target, Indonesia has adopted a comprehensive approach that integrates preventive measures, case detection, treatment, and community involvement in health promotion, director of communicable diseases at the ministry, Ina Agustina Isturini, said.
“For hepatitis B and C, the infections can become chronic, leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Thus, strengthening vaccination, early detection, and treatment is crucial,” she stressed during an online media gathering on Tuesday.
As per data from the Ministry of Health, the prevalence of Hepatitis B in Indonesia is currently 2.5 times that of Hepatitis C. This is backed by data from the Indonesian Health Survey, which pegs the number of people infected with Hepatitis B at around 6.7 million and Hepatitis C at 2.5 million.
Isturini said that hepatitis elimination efforts require multi-stakeholder involvement, including regional governments, professional organizations, and civil society. Under the national strategy, the utilization of digital technology will also be encouraged for monitoring and reporting cases.
“Our target is to reduce new infections by 90 percent and deaths caused by hepatitis by 65 percent by 2030,” she informed.
She further said that hepatitis treatment services will be expanded to more health facilities in districts and cities that are not yet covered by national programs. The National Health Insurance (JKN)-based treatment program is also considered essential to support these efforts.
As part of measures to accelerate hepatitis elimination, the Ministry of Health has included hepatitis detection in the government’s Free Health Screening (CKG) program, which was rolled out in February 2025.
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Translator: M Riezko, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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