Surabaya Faces Rising Tuberculosis Cases, Council Member Calls for Dedicated Isolation Facility
surabaya, MI – Tuberculosis (TB) cases in Surabaya are on the rise, prompting concerns from local officials. According too the Surabaya Health Department, as of November 31, 2024, 10,741 TB cases have been identified, representing 73.89% of the city’s target of 14,537 cases for the year. This marks a 5% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Ajeng wira Wati, a member of Surabaya’s City Council, is calling for immediate action to address the growing TB burden. “We need a dedicated isolation facility for TB patients,” Wati urged. “This would expedite recovery and minimize the risk of transmission within families.”
Wati emphasized the need for such a facility, particularly for low-income residents who may lack the space for proper isolation at home. “Imagine a family living in a single room,” she explained. “If one member has TB, it puts everyone, especially vulnerable children, at risk.”
Wati also stressed the importance of aggressive TB screening programs to identify cases early. “Surabaya is a densely populated city with a large industrial sector,” she noted. “without extensive screening, many cases could remain hidden, posing a serious public health threat.”
She further highlighted the need for increased awareness about TB, particularly among parents. ”We must promote the importance of BCG vaccination for infants and encourage employers to monitor employees for persistent coughs,” Wati saeid. “This is especially crucial for individuals working in professions that involve frequent interaction with the public, such as teachers and service workers.”
The Surabaya Health Department’s data also reveals a concerning trend among children. As of November 31, 2024, 1,327 TB cases were identified in children aged 1-14, representing only 42.6% of the city’s target for this age group.
Surabaya Faces Rising Tuberculosis Cases, Council Member Calls for Dedicated Isolation Facility
Surabaya, MI – tuberculosis (TB) cases in Surabaya are on the rise, prompting concerns from local officials. According to the Surabaya Health Department, as of November 31, 2024, 10,741 TB cases have been identified, representing 73.89% of the city’s target of 14,537 cases for the year. This marks a 5% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Ajeng Wira Wati, a member of Surabaya’s City Council, is calling for immediate action to address the growing TB burden. ”We need a dedicated isolation facility for TB patients,” Wati urged. “This would expedite recovery and minimize the risk of transmission within families.”
Wati emphasized the need for such a facility, particularly for low-income residents who may lack the space for proper isolation at home. “Imagine a family living in a single room,” she explained. “If one member has TB, it puts everyone, especially vulnerable children, at risk.”
She also stressed the importance of aggressive TB screening programs to identify cases early. “Surabaya is a densely populated city with a large industrial sector,” she noted. “Without extensive screening, many cases could remain hidden, posing a serious public health threat.”
Wati further highlighted the need for increased awareness about TB, particularly among parents. “We must promote the importance of BCG vaccination for infants and encourage employers to monitor employees for persistent coughs,” Wati said. “This is especially crucial for individuals working in professions that involve frequent interaction with the public, such as teachers and service workers.”
The Surabaya Health Department’s data also reveals a concerning trend among children. As of November 31, 2024, 1,327 TB cases were identified in children aged 1-14, representing only 42.6% of the city’s target for this age group.
