Minister of Health Regulation Number 3 of 2026 Governs Disease Control, Imposing Numerous Prohibitions and Obligations

Introduction

On 27 February 2026, the Ministry of Health issued Minister of Health Regulation Number 3 of 2026 on Disease Control (“MoH Reg. 3/2026”), which took effect on 11 March 2026. This regulation aims to enhance public awareness of healthy living, prevent surges in disease, eliminate negative stigma toward patients, and reduce the social and economic impacts arising from disease-related issues.

MoH Reg. 3/2026 implements the mandate of Article 44 paragraph (4) of Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health and several provisions under Government Regulation Number 28 of 2024 on Implementing Regulations of Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health. Through this regulation, the Government seeks to address challenges related to the spread of communicable diseases, the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, and the deterioration of environmental quality by establishing an integrated, coordinated, and sustainable legal framework for disease control.

MoH Reg. 3/2026 revokes and declares invalid 31 ministerial regulations of health, as follows:

1. Minister of Health Regulation Number 173/MENKES/PER/VIII/1977 on Water Pollution from Water Bodies for Various Uses Related to Health.
2. Minister of Health Regulation Number 718/MENKES/PER/XI/1987 on Noise Related to Health.
3. Minister of Health Regulation Number 258/MENKES/PER/III/1992 on Health Requirements for Pesticide Management.
4. Minister of Health Regulation Number 701/Menkes/Per/VIII/2009 on Irradiated Food.
5. Minister of Health Regulation Number 13 of 2013 on Guidelines for Integrated Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (except Article 2 and its Annex).
6. Minister of Health Regulation Number 30 of 2013 on the Inclusion of Information on Sugar, Salt, and Fat Content and Health Messages for Processed Food and Ready-to-Serve Food.
7. Minister of Health Regulation Number 61 of 2013 on Special Health Services.
8. Minister of Health Regulation Number 3 of 2014 on Community-Based Total Sanitation (except Article 4, Article 5, Article 14, and Article 15 and their Annexes).
9. Minister of Health Regulation Number 82 of 2014 on Control of Communicable Diseases.
10. Minister of Health Regulation Number 94 of 2014 on Filariasis Control (except Article 9 and Article 20 and their Annexes).
11. Minister of Health Regulation Number 13 of 2015 on the Implementation of Environmental Health Services at Community Health Centers.
12. Minister of Health Regulation Number 34 of 2015 on Control of Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer (except Article 18 and its Annex).
13. Minister of Health Regulation Number 53 of 2015 on Control of Viral Hepatitis (except Article 14 and its Annex).
14. Minister of Health Regulation Number 63 of 2015 on Amendments to Minister of Health Regulation Number 30 of 2013 on the Inclusion of Information on Sugar, Salt, and Fat Content and Health Messages for Processed Food and Ready-to-Serve Food.
15. Minister of Health Regulation Number 71 of 2015 on Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.
16. Minister of Health Regulation Number 67 of 2016 on Tuberculosis Control (except Article 16 and its Annex).
17. Minister of Health Regulation Number 8 of 2017 on Yaws Eradication (except Article 21 and its Annex).
18. Minister of Health Regulation Number 12 of 2017 on the Implementation of Immunization (only Article 11 paragraph (4), and Article 36 and its Annex are revoked).
19. Minister of Health Regulation Number 15 of 2017 on Control of Helminthiasis (only Article 6 insofar as it regulates strategy, Article 18, Article 27, and Article 29 and their Annexes are revoked).
20. Minister of Health Regulation Number 29 of 2017 on Amendments to Minister of Health Regulation Number 34 of 2015 on Control of Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer (except its Annex).
21. Minister of Health Regulation Number 52 of 2017 on Elimination of Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B from Mother to Child (except Article 6 insofar as it regulates strategy, Article 13, Article 19, Article 21, and Article 23 and their Annexes).
22. Minister of Health Regulation Number 19 of 2018 on the Implementation of Snail Fever Eradication (except Article 5 insofar as it regulates strategy, Article 15, and Article 25 and their Annexes).
23. Minister of Health Regulation Number 7 of 2019 on Hospital Environmental Health (except Article 3, Article 10, and Article 11 and their Annexes).
24. Minister of Health Regulation Number 11 of 2019 on Leprosy Control (except Article 4 insofar as it regulates strategy, Article 16, Article 26, and Article 28 and their Annexes).
25. Minister of Health Regulation Number 17 of 2020 on Healthy Markets.
26. Minister of Health Regulation Number 18 of 2020 on Region-Based Management of Medical Waste from Health Service Facilities (except Article 8, Article 11, and Article 17 and their Annexes).
27. Minister of Health Regulation Number 82 of 2020 on Control of Visual and Hearing Impairments (except Article 5, Article 14, Article 24, and Article 26 and their Annexes).
28. Minister of Health Regulation Number 22 of 2022 on Malaria Control (except Article 29 and its Annex).
29. Minister of Health Regulation Number 23 of 2022 on Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (except Article 41 and its Annex).
30. Minister of Health Regulation Number 2 of 2023 on Implementing Regulations of Government Regulation Number 66 of 2014 on Environmental Health (except Article 12, Article 21, Article 23, Article 29, Article 32, Article 39, and Article 45 and their Annexes).
31. Minister of Health Regulation Number 23 of 2023 on Guidelines for the Control of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (except Article 3 and its Annex).

Key Provisions

Prohibition of Misuse of Microorganisms

Pursuant to Article 31, the Government prohibits any person from distributing or trading microorganisms that constitute causative agents of communicable diseases. In addition, any party is prohibited from engineering such microorganisms with the intent to increase their virulence or to render them resistant to antimicrobial drugs. However, Article 32 provides an exception allowing the use of such microorganisms strictly for research, development, and study purposes in accordance with laws and regulations.

Obligations of Ready-to-Serve Processed Food Businesses

Article 37 requires every person who produces, imports, and/or distributes ready-to-serve processed food to comply with the maximum limits for sugar, salt, and fat content. Furthermore, such businesses must include nutrition labels detailing sugar, salt, fat, caloric value, and health messages on product information media, including packaging, brochures, banners, and/or menus. Where such food exceeds the prescribed maximum limits, Articles 40 and 41 prohibit businesses from advertising, promoting, or sponsoring their products at certain times, locations, and target groups, as well as prohibit the sale or distribution of such products in specific areas. These areas include:

1. Educational institutions;
2. Health Service Facilities; and
3. Children’s playground areas.

Obligation to Implement Environmental Health

Pursuant to Article 57, every manager, operator, or person in charge of public places, workplaces, residential areas, recreational facilities, as well as food and drinking water providers, must implement Environmental Health measures. Such implementation must comply with Environmental Health Quality Standards and Health Requirements for environmental media. Compliance must be evidenced by certificates or labels issued by health offices or authorized government institutions. These certificates or labels include:

1. Certificate of sanitary eligibility;
2. Hygiene sanitation certificate;
3. Food hygiene sanitation label;
4. Sanitary eligibility label; or
5. Other forms of certificates or labels.

Obligation to Manage Medical Waste

Based on Article 62 paragraphs (1) and (3), every Health Service Facility must manage solid, liquid, and gaseous medical waste. Such facilities may conduct treatment independently if technical requirements are fulfilled, or transfer responsibility through cooperation with other parties in accordance with laws and regulations. Article 62 paragraph (2) allows Health Service Facilities to bury pathological waste and/or sharps waste if no medical waste treatment facilities are available in the area and/or in emergency and disaster conditions.

Obligation of Recording and Reporting

Article 85 paragraph (2) requires every Health Service Facility to record and report all disease occurrences and the implementation of disease control activities regularly and periodically. Article 85 paragraph (3) stipulates that such recording and reporting must be conducted through an integrated health information system connected to the National Health Information System.

 

Sanction Provisions

Sanctions for Misuse of Microorganisms

Pursuant to Article 88, the Minister, governor, or regent/mayor may impose administrative sanctions on any person violating the prohibition on misuse of microorganisms. The Government imposes a written warning for the first violation, followed by administrative fines if the violation continues within 14 (fourteen) working days. Where products are proven to contain disease-causing microorganisms and/or engineered microorganisms with increased virulence or antimicrobial resistance, stricter sanctions apply, including:

1. Temporary suspension of production and/or distribution activities;
2. Withdrawal and destruction of products from circulation; and/or
3. Revocation of business licenses.

In addition to administrative sanctions, criminal sanctions may also be imposed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Sanctions for Violations Related to Ready-to-Serve Processed Food

Based on Article 89, the Government is authorized to impose sanctions for violations of maximum sugar, salt, and fat limits, nutrition labeling obligations, and restrictions on advertising and sales in specific areas. Administrative sanctions begin with a written warning and may proceed to administrative fines if ignored. In cases of repeated violations, prior fines, or where violations pose health risks, sanctions may include:

1. Temporary suspension of production and/or distribution activities;
2. Withdrawal of processed food from circulation; and/or
3. Revocation of business licenses.

Sanctions for Violations of Environmental Health Implementation

Pursuant to Article 90, the Minister of Health, relevant ministers or heads of non-ministerial institutions, governors, and regents/mayors may impose administrative sanctions on responsible parties who fail to implement Environmental Health obligations. Enforcement may begin with an oral warning for initial violations. In cases of repeated violations, non-compliance, or where health risks arise, sanctions may include:

1. Written warnings;
2. Temporary suspension of activities or business; and/or
3. Revocation or recommendation for revocation of permits.

Sanctions for Violations of Recording and Reporting

Under Article 91, Health Service Facilities that fail to fulfill recording and reporting obligations will receive administrative sanctions from the Minister, governor, or regent/mayor. The Government will issue a written warning. Continued non-compliance may result in:

1. Downgrading of accreditation status; and/or
2. Revocation or recommendation for revocation of business licenses.

Transitional Provisions

Pursuant to Article 97, the Central Government, Regional Governments, relevant stakeholders, and Health Service Facilities must comply with the provisions of MoH Reg. 3/2026 no later than 11 September 2026. However, provisions on controlling sugar, salt, and fat consumption in ready-to-serve processed food as referred to in Articles 36 to 42 shall be implemented 2 (two) years after the determination of maximum limits in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

Closing

MoH Reg. 3/2026 is established to prevent disease surges, reduce socio-economic impacts, and enhance public awareness of healthy living. The regulation imposes various obligations and prohibitions, including restrictions on misuse of disease-causing microorganisms, control of sugar, salt, and fat content and nutrition labeling in ready-to-serve processed food, compliance with environmental health standards in public facilities, management of medical waste, and integrated disease reporting. To ensure compliance, the Government enforces administrative sanctions ranging from warnings to revocation of business licenses, as well as criminal sanctions for certain violations. All stakeholders must comply no later than 11 September 2026, while specific provisions on processed food will take effect two years after the establishment of maximum content limits by the Government.