PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Health Service (Dinkes) collaborated with USAID Prevent TB to hold face-to-face education on the benefits and uses of Tuberculosis Prevention Therapy (Temu TPT) in 6 locations in Bandung City.

This time, the TPT Meeting education was held in the Babakan Asih Village Office Hall, Bandung City, Thursday (20/6/2024).

Head of the P2P Division of the Bandung City Health Office, Ira Dewi Jani, revealed that TPT is the most effective way to prevent the transmission of Tuberculosis bacteria, because TPT is given to healthy people who have previously had close contact with positive Tuberculosis sufferers.

Therapy consists of administering drugs to prevent the occurrence of tuberculosis specifically for people who have household contact or close contact with people with TB (ODTBC).

He said that the public does not need to worry because TPT therapy is a government program and does not require any fees.

"Now there is TB prevention medicine, TPT, we will provide therapy or medicines to prevent TB. We continue to encourage this TPT to be implemented. So that people understand how to implement TPT," he said.

He said that currently there is still a bad stigma regarding ODTBC. Therefore, the main challenge is to invite and educate people at high risk to consciously participate in preventative therapy and eliminate this stigma

"Good acceptance of ODTBC is very important, don't be embarrassed to talk about TB. This is important for prevention because it is detected early. So it is important to access TPT. Especially in areas where there are many TB patients," he said.

As of the first quarter of 2024, there have been 4,362 TB cases recorded in Bandung City. This figure is still quite high. The Health Department also makes various efforts including promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative.

So the presence of assistance from various stakeholders, one of which is USAID Prevent TB, is very helpful in massive education and prevention efforts in the community.

USAID Prevent TB Provincial Coordinator Sis Silvia Dewi emphasized that TB can be cured through treatment and prevented through TPT. There are three TB intervention targets: 90% case detection, 80-90% treatment success, and provision of TPT.

"Education is the entry point for behavior change that can support close contact with knowing the benefits of TPT and ultimately drinking TPT," he said.

USAID Prevent TB plans TPT Gathering activities at Bandung health facilities to encourage positive behavior change in at-risk populations.

"TPT targets those who are not sick but have been exposed to TB germs. For those in close contact we give TPT for 3 months. This is to prevent and break the chain of transmission," he said.

Secretary of Bojongloa Kaler Ida Nuraidawati reminded the public not to give ODTBC a bad stigma.

"Don't be shunned by community members who are infected with TB, we will carry out treatment in a disciplined manner until it is finished. Our support for ODTBC must be increased. We must know how it is transmitted and how it is prevented," said Ida.