Jakarta: Indonesian Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono announced on February 4 that the government has launched the National Cancer Action Plan 2024-2034. This plan aims to address the increasing incidence of cancer and alleviate the growing burden on the country’s healthcare system.
According to Lao News Agency, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death both globally and in Indonesia, with the country recording 408,661 new cases and 242,988 deaths annually. To combat this, the government is focusing on strengthening cancer control by implementing the 2024-2034 National Action Plan for Cancer, as articulated by Dante.
The Action Plan aims to prioritize addressing four key types of cancer: cervical, breast, lung, and colon. As part of this initiative, the government has introduced a free health screening program that will be implemented starting this year to promote early prevention.
The cervical cancer elimination strategy set for completion by 2030 includes vaccinating 90% of females and males aged 15 and ensuring that 75% of females aged 30 to 69 undergo screening with a high-performance test (DNA HPV).
According to Dante, without adequate early prevention measures, the cancer burden could rise by more than 70%, potentially overwhelming the health sector and impacting society and communities at large. He emphasized that early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and can positively influence overall recovery outcomes.
