Puan Highlights The Surge In HIV Cases Among Children And Teenagers In West Java

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, highlighted the increase in the number of HIV cases that attack the age group of children and adolescents, especially in West Java Province. Puan asked the government to strengthen education and health services, especially this age group.

"The government must move quickly with measured and comprehensive steps. Education for teenagers must be strengthened through an approach that is in accordance with the values of our culture and religion," said Puan in her statement, Thursday, August 14.

Puan said this phenomenon is not only a health issue, but also a real threat to the quality of the nation's next generation.

"Young people are the nation's biggest asset. If they lose health at a productive age, then it is not only their personal future but also the competitiveness and progress of the country," said Puan.

Puan also encouraged the Government to take quick, measurable, and comprehensive steps in tackling this issue. "People's welfare will not be achieved if we allow this disease to take the potential of our children," he added.

Puan then mentioned the results of the West Java KPAP survey, that the phenomenon of increasing HIV in this area was due to a new pattern of free sexual relations among children and adolescents.

The West Java KPAP survey found that the average high school student admitted to having sex for the first time at the age of 13 to 14 years. And even more worrying, some of them not only have sex with one person.

Related to this, Puan emphasized the importance of character education in education and at home. Including sexual education that is appropriate for children's age.

"This is an educational step for children and adolescents to be careful and maintain their social environment. The role of the family is also very much needed here," he said.

Furthermore, Puan assessed the need for the provision of teenage-friendly health services. According to her, children and adolescents must have access to counseling, early examination, and treatment services that are easily accessible, and have guaranteed confidentiality.

"We also have to improve health literacy in the family environment. Parents have an important role in guiding and supervising their children in order to avoid risky relationships and sexually transmitted diseases," said Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation in preventing the spread of HIV. Puan said that the involvement of religious leaders, communities, and youth organizations is very much needed to expand the reach of education and build collective awareness in the community.

"The DPR RI will continue to oversee policies, regulations, and budget so that every Indonesian child has the opportunity to grow healthy, receive education, and contribute optimally to the progress and welfare of the nation," he concluded.

As is known, HIV cases in West Java experienced a spike and the Male Sex Group (LSL) became the highest contributor to new cases throughout 2024. Based on data from the West Java Provincial Health Office, out of a total of 1.191 million people tested for HIV, the LSL group contributed 3,247 positive cases of HIV from 52.5105 people examined.

The West Java Provincial AIDS Management Commission (KPAP) has also highlighted the sharp spike in HIV cases in the last three years. Since 2022, the number has jumped dramatically to 100 percent.

From 2010 to 2021, 5,000 cases have been found. But since 2022 the figure has immediately risen to 8,620, then rose again to 9,710 in 2023, and increased sharply to 10,405 people with HIV/AIDS (ODHA) in December 2024.

Of the 10,405 ODHAs in West Java, more than 2,900 of them come from groups of children and adolescents. Based on data from the West Java Health Service (Dinkes), 107 ODHAs were recorded in the age range of 5-14 years, 645 people aged 15-19 years, and 2,164 people aged 20-24 years.