Strengthening Diphtheria Response in North Sumatera; Experts and Health Authorities Discuss Strategies

On Thursday, March 12, the Expert (Komli) of North Sumatera, represented by Prof. dr. Ayodhia Pitaloka Pasaribu, MKed (Ped), SpA(K), Ph.D (Clin. Trop. Med), and dr. Restuti Hidayani Saragih, Sp.PD, K-PTI, FINASIM, M.H. (Kes), met with the Head of the North Sumatera Provincial Health Office, H. Muhammad Faisal Hasrimy, AP, M.AP. The discussion focused on strategies for responding to the Diphtheria Extraordinary Event (KLB) in the region.

Diphtheria is a Vaccine-Preventable Disease (VPD) that has the potential to cause outbreaks. It is caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium, particularly its toxigenic strain. Prevention measures include immunization with DPT-HB-Hib, DT, or Td vaccines, which are administered to infants, school-age children, and women of childbearing age.

The disease spreads through droplets from coughing, sneezing, vomiting, sharing eating utensils, or direct contact with an infected person’s wounds. If left untreated and without immunity, diphtheria can have a fatality rate of up to 50%.

In North Sumatera, the diphtheria mortality rate stood at 27.5% in 2023, dropped to 15% in 2024, but rose again to 18% in 2025. These figures remain above the national standard, which sets the acceptable mortality rate at below 10%.

Between 2022 and 2025, diphtheria cases have been reported across several regions in North Sumatera, including Medan City, Deli Serdang Regency, Langkat, Serdang Bedagai, Batubara, Asahan, Simalungun, Labuhanbatu Utara, and Labuhanbatu Selatan. Additional cases were also recorded in Tebing Tinggi City, Tanjung Balai, Padangsidimpuan, as well as the regencies of Humbang Hasundutan, Samosir, North Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, and Mandailing Natal.

This meeting is expected to yield a comprehensive analysis of future diphtheria control strategies, contributing to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). To be effective, these efforts must be accompanied by improvements in healthcare facilities, enhanced human resources, and expanded immunization coverage to protect children in North Sumatera from life-threatening diseases like diphtheria.

(Source: Dinas Kesehatan Provinsi Sumatera Utara)