Within the first Indonesian Long-termn Development Planning Programme, the health status of the citizen were increased significantly. But, infectious diseases were still become one of the main problem. It is already known, that the Indonesian National TB Programme (NTP) was not significantly success in controlling TB. One of the most reasonable cause was, that there was inadequate cooperation among sectors involved in the programme. The sectors involved are included sectors in the government, medical professionals, NGOs, etc. One of the medical professionals is The Indonesian Association of Pulrnonologists (IAP).
IAP is an organization of lung specialists in Indonesia. It was established in 1973. As medical specialists, pulmonologists have the knowledge, capability and authority to diagnose and treat lung diseases. Pulmonary tuberculosis is one of their speciailties, and become one of the today's interest of the organization. The role of lung specialist on the NTP is very important to be considered in the management of the TB cases, since most of the TB infect lung- The role includes medical services, education of health personel, and research.
The role on medical services.
Medical services for TB can be done by in almost all health services institutions:
1. Hospitals owned by the Department of Health, included general and special lung hospitals.
2. Hospitals owned by other departments than Department of Health, included army hospitals and government owned business interprises (BUMN);
3. Government and private public health centers (PHC);
4. Communicable Diseases Control Clinlics (BP4);
5. General private practises and clinics.
The total nunber of the member of Indonesian Medical Association are more than 34,000, included 8,400 specialists. Number of IAP members are 320. Pulmonoiogists
* President of the Indonesian Association of Pulmonologists and Director of Persahabdtan Hospital
