Strong women leaders have helped push to #EndTB in the National and Global Health agendas. Drg. Putih Sari, APC Regional Co-chair of the Global TB Caucus delivered an inspirational speech on the challenges of TB elimination in Indonesia, and the opportunities they present at the National Dialogue on Indonesia’s 2023 Health Outlook. The dialogue was attended by 3 Ministers, the Vice Chair of the Health Commission, the Chair of the Health Commission, and Hon. Putih Sari.
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March marks Women’s History Month, and we’d like to give our thanks to the countless number of women who dedicate themselves to ending TB. This month is a reminder to credit the women who do amazing work in their fields; often, not enough is given. But beyond the month of March, every day should celebrate the strong, determined women who make things happen.
Today, we shine a light on Drg. Putih Sari, APC Regional Co-chair of the Global TB Caucus, who has continuously pushed to #endTB in the national and global health agendas. We do not have to look far back. Her recent work includes pressing the Health Minister on the current status of TB efforts in Indonesia during a public hearing in the country’s Health Commission.
In the same month, she delivered an inspirational speech on the challenges of TB elimination in Indonesia (and the opportunities these present) during the National Dialogue at Indonesia’s 2023 Health Outlook, which was attended by 3 Ministers and the Chair & Vice Chair of the Health Commission. The Minister of Health, as a result, is committed to the transformation of Indonesia’s health system, by providing stronger support to primary healthcare systems and community health workers, which play key roles in TB elimination.
The next step towards this is to have a National Dialogue specifically for TB, which is currently being planned. “[...] 2023 will be a crucial year for the global TB elimination effort, moreso because of the High Level Meeting on TB during the September UN General Assembly in New York. How committed is the Ministry of Health to supporting this global momentum, and ensuring that Indonesia is leading the way? Again, I stress that we are in the top 3 countries with the highest TB burdens; Indonesia can and should position itself as a leader in the global effort to eliminate TB.” - Drg. Putih Sari