Until July 2022, 316 Surabaya Residents Were Infected With HIV

SURABAYA - Cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the city of Surabaya decreased. In the first half of 2022, there were 316 cases, higher in the same period in 2021 as many as 364 cases.

"That's why we continue to make efforts to strengthen prevention efforts and treatment services", said Head of the Surabaya City Health Service, Nanik Sukristina, Tuesday, July 26.

The way to suppress the virus that infects white blood cells, continued Nanik, is to carry out promotive and preventive efforts through information and education communication (IEC) to vulnerable groups.

This step is usually focused on adolescents aged 15 to 24 years, pregnant women, injecting drug users (IDUs), to female sex workers (WPS).

Not only that, but the Health Office also focuses on patients with certain diseases that have the potential to be accompanied by HIV infection. For example tuberculosis (TB), dermatitis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and even chronic diarrhea. "The trick is to intensify HIV detection as early as possible", she said.

Nanik said hundreds of HIV cases in his area were the result of collaborative handling between the Surabaya Health Office and other agencies. This synergy is carried out by implementing the control of multi-sectoral forums.

Unfortunately, Nanik did not detail the hundreds of HIV cases that were found in any area. She only mentioned Sawahan District as the area with the highest HIV findings, with 17 cases.

"For the spread of the case to all areas in Surabaya", she said.

Based on data from the health office in 2020, the number of HIV findings in Surabaya was 626 cases. The percentage of cases was dominated by male patients as many as 469 people or 74.92 percent. Meanwhile, only 157 women were affected, or 28.08 percent. Standardized services have been provided to 47,868 people at risk of HIV infection.

The trick is to provide HIV testing and counseling services at various levels of health care facilities. Among them, are 63 health centers, and 54 hospitals to the port health office.