In 2024, the spread of Tuberculosis in six provinces in West Papua, Indonesia, namely Papua Province, West Papua Province, Southwest Papua Province, Papua Mountains Province, South Papua Province, and Central Papua Province, has become a serious concern for the local government and the local Health Office. In Jayapura, for example, the local Health Office is targeting to find around 4,000 new cases this year through outreach programs and intensive counseling in places of worship, schools, and student dormitories. However, until mid-year, the coverage of Tuberculosis case detection has only reached 25.30 percent of the target, indicating a major challenge in efforts to detect tuberculosis cases early in the region.

Various socialization and early detection programs have been implemented by the local Health Office. For example, in Biak Numfor, the government has distributed Special Autonomy funds to assist health activities including tuberculosis control programs. In addition, the education sector and student communities are also involved in tuberculosis screening to maximize detection and prevention of transmission in the community.

In addition to focusing on case finding, treatment and support efforts for patients are also being intensified. In Jayapura, health workers actively encourage people diagnosed with tuberculosis to continue taking appropriate treatment to ensure full recovery and prevent further transmission. They also warn people about the dangers of tuberculosis and the importance of consistent care. However, challenges in accessing health services in some remote areas make implementing this program not always easy.

In the interior of Papua Pegunungan Province and Papua Tengah Province, limited access and long distances between areas hamper efforts to address tuberculosis. Local governments are working with health workers to reach these areas through mobile campaigns and regular health checks involving local communities, especially in areas at high risk of tuberculosis transmission.

In addition to geographical barriers, community knowledge of tuberculosis symptoms and the stigma that still exists in West Papua also affect the effectiveness of the program. Some people are still reluctant to get tested or admit that they have tuberculosis for fear of discrimination. Therefore, public awareness campaigns are focused on reducing the stigma of tuberculosis and the importance of treatment for all those diagnosed.

Reducing tuberculosis rates is also a concern in South Papua Province, with government efforts focused on providing health facilities and financial support. Although there has been assistance from the central government through special autonomy funds, there are still many challenges in the distribution of tuberculosis drugs and quality health services in hard-to-reach areas.

Local governments in the West Papua Province and Southwest Papua Province are also trying to increase cross-sector collaboration to reduce the rate of tuberculosis transmission. They work with community organizations and educational institutions to increase access to screening and provide education on the importance of tuberculosis prevention and treatment in the region.

Overall, although various efforts have been made, handling tuberculosis in West Papua requires more logistical support, education, and public awareness. Geographic challenges, lack of health workers in some areas, and the stigma attached to this disease are some of the factors that must be overcome to reduce the spread of tuberculosis in West Papua.

This integrated effort is expected to reduce the number of tuberculosis cases in West Papua in the coming years, although the target achievement in 2024 has not been optimal. Increasing the scope of case detection and more equitable access to health services remain priorities to reduce the burden of tuberculosis in West Papua.

1,132 doctors from the Faculty of Medicine UNCEN alumni help handle tuberculosis in West Papua

A total of 1,132 doctors from the Alumni Family of the Faculty of Medicine, Cenderawasih University (UNCEN) Jayapura were deployed to help handle cases of the infectious disease tuberculosis in six provinces of West Papua, Indonesia.

“A thousand doctors from the Alumni Family of the UNCEN Faculty of Medicine are handling tuberculosis in Tanah Papua,” said the Head of the Alumni Family of the UNCEN Faculty of Medicine, Doctor Tommy Numberi in Biak.

He invited doctors who graduated from the UNCEN Faculty of Medicine everywhere to serve health and continue to provide education on the prevention of the infectious disease tuberculosis.

“Alumni doctors from the UNCEN Faculty of Medicine currently number 1,132 people, 40 of whom are qualified as specialist doctors,” said the doctor who is a native son of West Papua.

Numberi appealed to doctors who graduated from the Faculty of Medicine UNCEN who serve in West Papua to improve education on clean and healthy lifestyles.

“One of the focuses of the work program of the alumni family of the Faculty of Medicine UNCEN is to help the government improve the health of the community to realize a healthy West Papua and the Golden Generation 2045,” he said.