Tracking, Training, Treatment, Transportation, and Trust. These are the five elements of a cooperative program between the Jembatan TCB Kampar tuberculosis (TB) initiative and members of Indonesian village communities, local government, and private health facilities. The first four “T” words can be quantified, but how does one measure Trust?
One way is to gauge the strength of collaboration with local officials. Mr. Abizar, who leads Jembatan TBC Kampar, has been honored by authorities in Kampar District and its villages of Durian Tandang and Teluk Kenidai to speak about tuberculosis testing and medicine, teamwork to curb TB transmission through contact tracing, and tuberculosis education. The Department of Health in Kampar also hosted Mr. Abizar and a SEEDS consultant in a televised talk show, to discuss public-private partnerships in the national effort to stop TB.
When invited to speak at the Teluk Kenidai Village Head’s office, Abizar told a team of local healthcare volunteers that their partnership with government health workers is indispensable. He emphasized the same on Riau Televisi network, saying it is through cooperation between government and private entities that Indonesia progresses toward its target to eliminate tuberculosis. Jembatan Kampar Sehat has facilitated tuberculosis testing for community members with suspected symptoms, with the participation of SEEDS consultants. It has identified hidden cases of active tuberculosis in Kampar and the neighboring city of Pekanbaru. It has assisted treatment of tuberculosis patients who are currently receiving their 6-to-9-month courses of medication. So far, Jembatan TBC Kampar has recorded dozens of full recoveries from TB.
The word Jembatan means bridge. The original inspiration was a new suspension bridge to Teluk Kenidai, and the initiative’s purpose is similar—to cross a divide. With SEEDS, Jembatan TBC Kampar bridges the gap between community members and the tuberculosis care they need.
