A recent study led by Prof. Dr. Heda Melinda Nataprawira from the Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, shines a light on the challenges and outcomes of treating multidrug/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in Indonesian children and adolescents.
Conducted over eight years at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital in Bandung, the study found that while 70% of treated children had successful outcomes, a significant number—particularly younger children—either died before treatment or were lost to follow-up. Most patients were adolescents, suggesting that younger children may face more barriers to diagnosis and care.
“We found that children with more severe forms of TB—those with breathing difficulty, lung damage, or high bacterial load—were more likely to die,” said Prof. Heda. “But we also found that with appropriate treatment, many patients recover well.”
The team reported that newer all-oral medications reduced severe side effects, such as hearing loss, often caused by injectable drugs. Yet, over half of the patients still experienced mild to moderate adverse reactions.
This research highlights the urgent need to improve early detection and treatment access—especially for children under 10—who are often missed due to diagnostic limitations or health system delays.
Indonesia ranks among the highest in global TB burden, but this study gives local data that can inform better, child-centered treatment guidelines and public health strategies. It emphasizes the value of using safer, more effective drug regimens that can be managed closer to home and under family supervision.
Beyond improving TB outcomes, these findings also promote community health resilience and align with sustainable healthcare principles: shifting from hospital-heavy models to family-involved, accessible care using globally approved medicines.
This work directly supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being, while Universitas Padjadjaran affirms its role as a regional leader in pediatric infectious disease research. By contributing critical evidence from Indonesia, this study also supports the university’s standing in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, advancing equitable global health.
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