Indonesia Pushes for TB Vaccine Funding and Active Case Finding to End TB by 2030
Indonesia Leads Global Push for TB Vaccine, Aims for 2030 Elimination
Abuja, Nigeria – Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized the urgent need for increased vaccine funding and intensified case detection efforts to achieve the global goal of tuberculosis (TB) elimination by 2030. Speaking at the 38th StopTB Partnership Board Meeting, Sadikin stressed the transformative potential of a TB vaccine, comparing its impact to the COVID-19 vaccines.
“The availability of a TB vaccine would be a game changer in ending this centuries-old disease,” Sadikin stated. As co-chair of the TB Vaccines Accelerator Council alongside Brazilian Health Minister Nísia Trindade Lima, he called for investment support to enable mass production of a TB vaccine by 2028.
Indonesia is actively involved in the growth of a promising TB vaccine candidate, the M72, developed by GSK and the Gates Foundation. The country is also one of the clinical trial sites for this vaccine.Sadikin highlighted Indonesia’s commitment to accelerating the development and global implementation of this vaccine by 2029.”this effort aligns with the Stop TB Partnership Board’s mandate to strengthen the voices of affected communities and ensure inclusive access to health services,” Sadikin explained.
The 38th StopTB Partnership Board Meeting, held December 13-14, reaffirmed the global commitment to ending TB as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. discussions focused on the critical role of adequate nutrition for household contacts in preventing TB transmission and the need to address the stigma surrounding the disease,which often hinders access to treatment.
The meeting recognized Indonesia’s leadership in TB control, citing the country’s increased domestic funding allocations for TB programs and its ambitious target of actively finding one million TB cases by 2025. A report from the Global Fund for TB, AIDS, and Malaria also commended Indonesia’s effective utilization of global funds for TB treatment.
Beyond the meeting, Sadikin engaged in bilateral discussions with health ministers from South Africa, the Philippines, and Nigeria. He also met with representatives from civil society organizations, the Gates Foundation, the Global Fund, and USAID.
Significantly,Indonesia and Nigeria agreed to collaborate on vaccine access and technology transfer. Indonesia’s state-owned pharmaceutical company, Bio Farma, will share its expertise in vaccine distribution management with Nigeria. Nigerian authorities plan to visit Indonesia in early 2025 to observe vaccine production facilities.
this international collaboration underscores Indonesia’s commitment to playing a leading role in the global fight against TB, leveraging its experience and resources to accelerate progress towards a TB-free world.
Indonesia Leads Global Push for TB Vaccine, Aims for 2030 Elimination: An Interview with Indonesian health Minister
NewsDirect3: Welcome Mr. Sadikin, thank you for taking the time to speak with us about Indonesia’s leadership in the global fight against tuberculosis.
Budi Gunadi Sadikin: It’s a pleasure to be here.
NewsDirect3: At the recent StopTB Partnership Board Meeting, you emphasized the importance of a TB vaccine in reaching the 2030 elimination target. Why is a vaccine considered such a game changer?
Budi gunadi sadikin: Just like the COVID-19 vaccines transformed our response to that pandemic, a TB vaccine has the potential to revolutionize our fight against this centuries-old disease.
NewsDirect3: Indonesia is actively involved in the advancement and clinical trials of the potential TB vaccine candidate M72.Can you tell us more about that?
Budi Gunadi Sadikin: We are proud to be a clinical trial site for the M72 vaccine, developed by GSK and the Gates Foundation.We are committed to accelerating its development and global implementation by 2029.
NewsDirect3: You also highlighted the importance of increased funding for TB programs. How crucial is financial support to achieving the 2030 target?
Budi Gunadi Sadikin: Funding is absolutely critical. It enables the research and development of new tools like vaccines, supports case detection and treatment programs, and strengthens healthcare systems in high-burden countries.
NewsDirect3: Indonesia has been commended for its domestic funding allocations for TB programs and its ambitious target of finding one million TB cases by 2025. What strategies are being implemented to achieve these goals?
Budi Gunadi Sadikin: We are prioritizing early detection through active case finding initiatives, promoting community engagement, and addressing stigma surrounding the disease to ensure access to treatment for all who need it.
NewsDirect3: beyond Indonesia, you’ve also been engaging in bilateral discussions with other countries. What are some of the key outcomes of these discussions, particularly with Nigeria?
Budi Gunadi Sadikin: We have agreed to collaborate with Nigeria on vaccine access and technology transfer. Indonesia’s state-owned pharmaceutical company, Bio Farma, will share its expertise in vaccine distribution management with Nigeria, and they plan to visit our vaccine production facilities next year.
NewsDirect3: This collaborative spirit is encouraging. what message do you have for the global community as we work towards a TB-free world?
Budi gunadi Sadikin: We must remain committed, collaborate effectively, and ensure that everyone has access to the tools and resources needed to end this devastating disease. Together, we can achieve a TB-free world by 2030.