Towards a stronger legal framework for ending neglected tropical diseases in Indonesia

Neglected tropical diseases continue to affect millions of people in Indonesia, especially those living in poor, remote and underserved areas. Diseases such as leprosy, rabies and schistosomiasis cause illness and death, often in communities with limited access to basic health services. Many people struggle to reach clinics for diagnosis, treatment and referrals, allowing disease transmission to continue. In the case of leprosy, long-term illness can also lead to disability and stigma, affecting livelihoods, education and social inclusion.

Although Indonesia has long-standing national programmes to control these diseases, progress towards elimination has slowed. One major challenge is the absence of a clear legal framework. Responsibilities are shared across several ministries and different levels of government, but roles and obligations are not clearly defined. This has made coordination difficult, weakened accountability and resulted in uneven funding, particularly at local level.