JAKARTA, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's Health Ministry reported on Tuesday that as of July this year, at least 6.7 million citizens across the archipelago had been infected with Hepatitis B, while more than 2.5 million had contracted Hepatitis C.
With the majority of patients undiagnosed and untreated, the ministry is working to expand access to primary healthcare services and identify at-risk groups through early detection, including free screenings at health facilities.
At a virtual press briefing, the ministry's Director of Infectious Diseases, Ina Agustina Isturini, explained that through the government's free health check program, vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, healthcare workers, injecting drug users, and inmates can be tested early and referred for appropriate treatment.
The ministry is intensifying its national strategy to eliminate Hepatitis B and C in line with the global target of eradicating viral hepatitis infections and deaths by 2030.
Isturini noted that Indonesia has adopted a comprehensive approach involving prevention, early case detection, treatment, and community engagement in health promotion.
"For Hepatitis B and C, transmission can become chronic and lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. That's why strengthening vaccination, early detection, and treatment is crucial," she said.
She added that achieving elimination will require cross-sector collaboration involving local governments, professional associations, and civil society. The ministry will also promote the use of digital technology for case monitoring and reporting.
"Our target is to reduce new infections by 90 percent and hepatitis-related deaths by 65 percent by 2030," she said. ■
