Indonesia acts amid concerns about economic impact of tuberculosis
Indonesia plans to run clinical trials of several vaccines to fight surging cases of tuberculosis (TB) this year, with concerns the disease might affect the country's economic growth.
A nurse prepares a Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine for tuberculosis during a national immunisation for children programme at an integrated services post in Banda Aceh, Aceh on June 9, 2022. (Photo: AFP)
Jakarta (VNA)💧 – Indonesia plans to run clinical trials of several vaccines to fight surging cases of tuberculosis (TB) this year, with concerns the disease might affect the country's economic growth.
At a meeting between the cabinet and leaders of localities on June 10, Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin said Indonesia plans to conduct a trial of TB vaccine developed by global pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline(GSK.L) and opens new tab in July, involving 2,500 people. The vaccine development is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
A clinical trial for a vaccine made by China's CanSino Biologics(6185.HK), opens new tab is also expected this year, Budi said.
According to the minister, Indonesia aims to lower its mortality rate from TB by 80% to only six deaths per 100,000 lives by 2030.
Minister of Human Development Muhadjir Effendy said that 75% of the patients are in the productive age group and 45% of all patients do not work, raising concerns that the spread of the disease is hurting economic activity.
Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian ordered provincial leaders to set up task forces to detect TB infections.
Indonesia has seen TB cases spike during the past few years. Its health ministry estimated there were over 1 million cases in 2023, compared to around 820,000 in 2020.
In 2022, deaths from TB in Indonesia reached around 134,000, the second highest in the world after India./.
Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia and Singapore, have recorded much progress in efforts to prevent and repel tuberculosis (TB) - one of the world's most dangerous diseases.
Vietnam is one of seven countries selected by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to conduct research on the M72 tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, given the fact that they have a high tuberculosis burden, according to Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Binh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Central Lung Hospital and deputy head of the Executive Board of the National TB Programme.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
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The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
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Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.