INFOKU, BLORA -Between January and May of this year, 650 cases of tuberculosis ( TB ) were recorded. To prevent transmission, officials were asked to conduct extensive screening and education, especially in densely populated areas.
Head of the Blora Health Service ( Dinkes ) , Edi Widayat, revealed that 650 confirmed cases were found in 36 health facilities, including hospitals, community health centers (Puskesmas ), and clinics spread across Blora Regency.
"This includes cases of Drug-Sensitive TB (SO) and Drug-Resistant TB (RO)," he said.
Edi explained that the discovery of SO TB cases at Dr. R. Soeprapto Cepu Regional Hospital was 106 cases, the highest number of any other health facility, followed by Dr. R. Soetijono Blora Regional Hospital with 101 cases.
Meanwhile, for RO TB, two cases were found, each recorded at Permata Blora Hospital and NU Cakra Medika Cepu Hospital.
He stated that the main strategies adopted include active screening, massive early detection, tracing close contacts of TB patients, and public education, especially in densely populated areas and areas with a high caseload.
"This is the main key to breaking the chain of transmission," he added.
He explained that, based on Health Office surveillance data, the number of TB cases found in Blora from January to November 2024 reached 1,218 cases.
This number has decreased compared to 2024, which reached 1,336 cases.
"This decline demonstrates the positive results of various intensive efforts to detect active cases and improve access to medical services at the community health center and hospital levels," Edi explained.
He acknowledged that there were two main challenges in controlling TB in Blora Regency.
First, low patient compliance in undergoing six months of treatment therapy, as well as the continued existence of social stigma that causes some sufferers to be reluctant to check themselves at health facilities.
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As a form of response, the Blora Regency Government continues to intensify the national program, namely Find, Treat Until Cured (TOSS TBC) by involving various elements of society.
"The national target of eliminating TB by 2030 is still far off. However, we are optimistic that with cross-sector collaboration and active community participation, the number of cases can be significantly reduced," he concluded. (Endah / IST )
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