Jakarta, Aug. 26 -- Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian on Tuesday urged regional leaders to intensify efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB), calling the disease a persistent public health threat requiring stronger local action.

Speaking at the Forum of Eight Governors for Accelerating Tuberculosis Elimination in Jakarta, Tito pressed governors, mayors, and district heads to fully use their authority and resources to curb TB cases.

"I urge regional leaders with power, authority, policies, and resources to take this issue more seriously," he said.

Tito highlighted that despite long-standing knowledge about TB and available treatments, the disease continues to kill thousands each year. Indonesia is expected to record 1.09 million TB cases...