Until February 2023, HIV/AIDS Cases In Banda Aceh Reached 198 Cases

Illustration-(Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Member of the City House of Representatives (DPRK) or the Banda Aceh City DPRD Musriadi urged the Banda Aceh City Government to immediately find a solution to prevent HIV/AIDS cases in Banda Aceh. The new case in the capital city of Aceh province in February 2023 has reached 198 cases. "We urge the Acting Mayor through the health office to increase screening, early detection is an effective way so far to prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS cases from increasing every year," said Musriadi in Banda Aceh, quoted from Antara, Sunday, April 2. Musriadi said that the first HIV/AIDS case in Banda Aceh was found in 2008 with two AIDS diagnostics and has died. Then in 2022 put Banda Aceh City in first place from districts/cities throughout Aceh with the highest HIV/AIDS cases. As of February 2023, 198 new cases were found consisting of 161 cases of HIV and 37 AIDS. "So we hope that this case (HIV/AIDS) should not be taken lightly, it will backfire later. So this disease must be found a solution," he said. Musriadi said, based on the information received, the number of findings of HIV/AIDS cases in Banda Aceh was getting higher. So the Banda Aceh City Government must formulate a strategy for handling it by involving NGOs who care about HIV/AIDS. Because, he continued, the case of HIV/AIDS is like an iceberg phenomenon, where the data reported is still very few of the cases that may have been a lot, it's just that no examination has been carried out. "Because along with the increasing screening of HIV tests every year, the discovery of HIV cases in Banda Aceh City continues to increase," he said. On this occasion, Musriadi also advised the government to improve education programs for the public related to HIV/AIDS disease, the way of transmission, to the pattern of prevention.

With the socialization and assistance, it can be known earlier, so that further treatment can be carried out. However, all of this also requires special budget support. "To prevent this from happening and the increasing number of HIV/AIDS cases also needs mutual concern in increasing understanding related to irregularities in sexual behavior in society," said Musriadi.