IDAI supports hepatitis screening but urges follow-up treatment

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) expressed its support for the plan to implement hepatitis screening through the Free Health Check-up (CKG) program, but reminds that it must be followed by treatment for diagnosed patients.

Chairman of IDAI, Dr. dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, said screening is an important step to detect hepatitis cases early, but it must be accompanied by proper medical follow-up treatment and patient monitoring.

“Screening is good, but there must be follow-up. It shouldn’t just be a gimmick. Once a child is found positive, the treatment must be clear,” Yanuarso said during the summit of IDAI’s 72nd Anniversary, here on Sunday.

He stated that IDAI is ready to collaborate in supporting the implementation of hepatitis screening and treatment in children.

“IDAI is ready to collaborate to follow up on the screening results,” he said.

Previously, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the government is promoting the CKG program to increase the coverage of hepatitis B and C screening in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) targets.

According to Sadikin, the government targets the CKG program to reach 136 million people in 2026, up from 70 million in 2025. The effort aims to accelerate the detection of various diseases, including liver disorders caused by hepatitis B and C.

Meanwhile, in addition to supporting screening, Yanuarso emphasized the importance of early prevention of hepatitis through immunization.

He explained that hepatitis B and hepatitis A are diseases that can be prevented with vaccination, so immunization coverage needs to be continuously increased.

Administering the hepatitis B vaccine after birth is a crucial step to prevent infections that can cause health problems later in life, he added.

IDAI believes that immunization for prevention and screening for early detection should go hand in hand to ease the impact of hepatitis on Indonesian children.

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Translator: Farika, Kenzu

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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