On March 24, 1882, Dr. Robert Koch, a German doctor and scientist, announced the discovery of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB). Since then, March 24 has been commemorated as World TB Day (WTBD), symbolizing the global commitment to addressing this still-deadly disease.

The observance of WTBD not only reminds us of the important historical discovery by Dr. Koch, but also invites all levels of society to raise awareness about the dangers of TB and support innovative efforts in diagnosis and treatment. This long journey of discovery has paved the way for progress in the field of health, although challenges such as drug-resistant TB cases, unequal access to treatment, and social stigma continue to hinder efforts to control the disease.

In Indonesia, TB remains a serious public health issue. According to the Global TB Report 2024, Indonesia ranks second in the world for the TB burden, after India. It is estimated that there are 1,090,000 TB cases and 125,000 deaths annually, which means approximately 14 deaths every hour. In 2024, around 885,000 TB cases were found, with a distribution showing 496,000 cases in men, 359,000 in women, and 135,000 cases in children aged 0-14 years. This statistic emphasizes the urgency of increasing prevention and treatment efforts across Indonesia.

In response to the TB epidemic, the Indonesian government issued Presidential Regulation No. 67 of 2021. This policy introduces a comprehensive TB control strategy, ranging from strengthening government commitment at all levels to improving access to quality health services. Additionally, optimizing health promotion and prevention through the provision of preventive treatment and infection control is part of the government's efforts. Research innovations and the use of technology in screening, diagnosis, and TB management are also integrated to accelerate the elimination of the disease. The active role of communities and multi-sector collaboration are also emphasized to ensure this program runs optimally, while strengthening program management through a more integrated health system.

The global theme for World TB Day 2025 is Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver. Referring to this global theme, the Ministry of Health has set the national theme for World TB Day 2025 as GIATKAN: Indonesia's Movement to End Tuberculosis with Commitment and Concrete Actions. The sub-themes for the 2025 WTBD observance are: 1) Indonesia’s Movement to End TB with Joint Actions, 2) Indonesia’s Movement to End TB with Sustainable Investment, and 3) Indonesia’s Movement to End TB with Concrete Actions.

World TB Day 2025 will be an important moment to educate the public about the symptoms, transmission, and effective prevention steps. It also serves as a call for all parties to actively participate in TB control programs to achieve the target of TB elimination by 2030. With the dissemination of accurate information and intensive health campaigns, it is hoped that TB-related deaths and disease burdens can be significantly reduced, creating a healthier future for all the people of Indonesia.

Let us use the 2025 WTBD observance as an opportunity to strengthen our collective commitment, provide sustainable investments, enhance innovations in health, and realize TB elimination through concrete actions.