TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Subang, West Java, has declared a state of emergency over HIV/AIDS epidemic. The rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in the region has killed hundreds of people.
“As many as 120 HIV/AIDS patients in Subang died,” Subang HIV/AIDS Mitigation Commission secretary Maxie told Tempo after the commemoration of World’s AIDS Day 2016 on Monday, December 5.
Maxie said that as of mid-2016, the number of HIV/AIDS patients reached 1,276.
The latest HIV/AIDS patient died in Subang was a minor. “She was nine years old, she had been taken to the hospital a lot, but she could not be saved,” Maxie explained.
According to Maxie, 53 out of 1,276 patients are under five years old. Fifteen are pregnant, five of whom will deliver their babies soon.
He said that HIV/AIDS patients in Subang are mostly women and working as commercial sex workers, followed by housewives, civil servants, police, military personnel and students. The average age of patients is between 22 and 39.
High HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Subang, according to Maxie, among others, is caused by industrialization, tourism, and development of Cikopo-Palimanan (Cipali) toll road, which have enabled free sex and drug trafficking.
“We have found 126 condom hotspots spread across the northern coast (Pantura), central and south [Subang],” Maxie said.
Maxie said that his office has carried out some measures to prevent HIV virus/AIDS, such as prevention of sexual activities among unmarried youth, particularly students, through dissemination program.
Acting Subang Regent Imas Aryumningsih promises to improve treatment facilities at Subang’s Ciereng Hospital and establish HIV/AIDS rehabilitation center. “For patients to receive treatment and rehab in Subang,” he said. Treatment and rehabilitation for HIV/AIDS patients are currently carried out in Bandung and Jakarta.
NANANG SUTISNA
