Center for Health Administration and Policy Studies (CHAMPS) Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia (FPH UI) together with Think Tanks 20 (T20) and S. Asean International Advocacy & Consultancy (SAIAC) held a webinar with the theme “Sustaining Economic Growth By Managing TB in the Workplace” on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. This webinar aims to discuss the steps that G20 countries must take in eliminating the spread of Tuberculosis (TB) in the workplace. “TB makes workers lose their productive hours so that it can affect the economy. Therefore, this webinar is held with the aim of strengthening collaboration between sectors so that later a solution can be produced to overcome the TB issue and its impact on the economy, “said Prof. Bambang Brodjonegoro, Lead Co-Chair of T20 Indonesia in his remarks.
Furthermore, dr. Carla Decotelli Mendes, M.Sc., (Medical Affairs Lead – Global Public Health, Johnson & Johnson) presented an abstract presentation related to TB disease in the workplace. “Offices and other workplaces are strategic places for TB disease transmission because they are entry points or places where people gather. Coupled with the close contact between employees. This makes the workplace a place for disease transmission,” said dr. Carla.
The trend of TB disease in Indonesia was then conveyed by Ganendra Awang Kristandya (Asia Pacific Regional Manager, Global TB Caucus). Based on existing data, case notifications for TB disease in Indonesia are starting to decline, but the death rate due to TB is increasing. Further, dr. Tiffany Tiara Pakasi, M.A., (Acting Director of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control) stated that G20 countries should start investing in preventive measures, such as vaccination, screening, and early diagnosis.
Executive Director, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB & Malaria, Peter Sands also gave a special remark. “We have to increase public awareness and optimize treatment to tackle this TB disease. Collaboration with the private sector is needed to get maximum results,” said Peter Sands.
The webinar was followed by a panel discussion session led by a pulmonologist and clinical researcher, Dr. dr. Erlina Burhan, Sp.P(K). The discussion was started by dr. Carla Decotelli Mendes, M.Sc., who describes methods that can be used to treat TB in the workplace. Furthermore, dr. Kuldeep Sachdeva (Regional Director Southeast Asia, the International Union Against Tuberculosis & Lung Disease) explained about TB screening and management in India. Hariyadi Sukamdani (Head, Indonesian Employers Association/APINDO) stated that TB infects many people of productive age. “It takes commitment from management as well as protection for workers to be able to eradicate TB disease in the workplace,” said Hariyadi.
Furthermore, Ganendra Awang Kristandya stated that TB disease management requires participation from all sectors, especially the government. Doctor Eliud Wandwalo (Head of Tuberculosis, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB & Malaria) explained the TB financing framework that combines the public and private sectors. The discussion session closed with a short presentation from Charles Honoris (Head of Commission IX, Indonesian Parliament).
“To eradicate TB disease in the workplace, we must strengthen our commitment and implement existing policies. It is necessary to disseminate policies and education related to TB disease so that we can fully control this disease,” said Dr. dr. Erlina Burhan, Sp.P(K) read out the results of the discussion.
“Currently, TB sufferers still receive a bad stigma from the community. This can affect efforts to control TB disease. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out advocacy and support from the private sector,” concluded Shanti Samdasani (Co-Chair T20/TF6 Global Health Security & COVID-19 Founder & CEO of S. Asean International Advocacy & Consultancy) in the closing statement. (WR)
