The spread of infectious diseases tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS in Samarinda City is becoming increasingly worrying. The Samarinda City Health Office (Dinkes) recorded that as of July 2026, as many as 63 lives have been lost due to these two diseases. The main factor driving the high transmission and fatality rates is the still low public awareness to undergo early health screening.
Head of the Samarinda Health Office, dr. Ismed Kusasih, revealed that the detection of new TB cases has only reached 31 percent, equivalent to 1,826 patients out of the annual target of 5,855 people. Of the cases found, 27 patients were reported to have died, some of them due to complications from comorbidities such as kidney failure and diabetes mellitus. In addition, prevention efforts continue to be pushed through the TB Preventive Therapy (TPT) program, which has only reached 115 people.
A no less crucial situation is occurring in the management of HIV/AIDS. From the screening results of 25,965 residents, medical workers found 258 positive HIV cases, with 213 of these patients currently undergoing intensive treatment. Nevertheless, this infection has progressed to AIDS in 63 patients, claiming 36 lives so far this year. The death toll from HIV/AIDS complements data from previous years, which recorded 102 deaths in 2024 and 103 deaths in 2025.
Ismed highlighted the close correlation between these two diseases through the phenomenon of coinfection. It is known that about seven to nine percent of HIV sufferers also contract TB due to a drastic decline in the immune system. Therefore, early detection through massive screening is crucial so that the chain of transmission can be broken from the start.
The Samarinda City Government guarantees that the local budget efficiency policy will not disrupt these basic health services. The availability of medicines supplied directly by the central government is ensured to be safe and distributed free of charge to patients. The public is urged to immediately check themselves at the nearest health facility if they experience symptoms of chronic respiratory disorders, such as a prolonged cough accompanied by drastic weight loss.
