TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has seen a significant progress in reducing the number of HIV/AIDS infection by implementing the harm reduction programs since 2006. During a press conference held by the Health Ministry and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), UNAIDS' Regional Director Steve Kraus commended Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi for her work in alleviating the spread of the disease.
He said that there were three important things to focus on, testing, treatment and protection. "No one will get treatment if they don't know their HIV status," Kraus said at the Health Ministry office on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. He believed that testing should be made simple, safe and cost effective, while treatment should be readily available for people who were tested positive. Kraus emphasized that protection and condoms were essential in reducing the numbers of infection.
According to Nafsiah, challenges that her minister is currently facing all came from social stigma. "How can we change the behaviors of the people, to ensure that they are taking care not only of their health, but also other people's," she said. She added that people often got intimidated with grim images of the disease, but it was a disease that could be prevented and treated. "We should treat (HIV/AIDS) as common chronic illness,” said Nafsiah.
The Health Ministry has allocated Rp 613 billion in 2013 for HIV/AIDS programs. Last year, there were 39,418 people receiving free Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART), and by June 2014 the number has increased to 43,104 people. A total of 15,651 of new HIV positive cases were reported this year, with 1,064 cases of AIDS. Nafsiah targeted that HIV/AIDS would no longer be an epidemic in Indonesia by 2030.
AMANDA SIDDHARTA
