Indonesia finds 13,297 suspected leprosy cases amid boosted screenings

2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Ministry of Health stated that under the 2026 Free Health Screening (CKG) program, it identified 13,297 suspected leprosy cases among 25.2 million participants aged one and older.

The ministry added screenings for leprosy, scabies, and yaws to the nationwide program starting in 2026 to accelerate the elimination of these diseases in Indonesia.

Speaking in Jakarta on Tuesday, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin noted that despite being known for so long, many still view leprosy as a curse, creating a stigma that hinders detection efforts and delays treatment.

“Because of the stigma, people hesitate, even though it can easily be detected through the CKG program,” he said.

According to him, antibiotic treatments for leprosy are readily available and highly effective, ensuring that recovered patients can no longer transmit the disease.

The minister highlighted the concerning reality of the stigma surrounding leprosy, pointing to an example in Makassar where leprosy patients gather in a dedicated building because their own families rejected them—a situation, he added, that plays out across Indonesia.

To boost screenings, Budi urged the media to participate in educating the public about the benefits of the CKG program for ensuring a healthy lifestyle.

The Ministry of Health’s Director General of Primary and Community Health, Maria Endang Sumiwi, stated that this year’s CKG implementation also identified 21,079 suspected cases of scabies out of 25.4 million participants aged one and older, alongside 2,293 suspected cases of yaws out of 21.3 million participants in the same age group.

Earlier, Minister Budi said that to expand detection coverage beyond adding leprosy screening to the CKG program, the ministry will roll out PCR testing across eastern Indonesia.

Additionally, the ministry will ensure patients receive complete treatment until fully cured, lasting either 6 or 12 months.

“Third, we will administer preventative treatment to all close contacts, including their family members,” he said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to eliminating the infectious disease by 2030.