HIV/AIDS In Belitung Increase, This Year 33 Cases Reported

Illustration of HIV/AIDS (ANTARA)

The HIV/AIDS Management Commission (KPA) of Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, recorded as many as 33 new cases of HIV/AIDS infection in the area throughout 2022. Secretary of KPA Belitung Robi in Tanjung Pandan, said the number of 33 new cases of HIV/AIDS increased when compared to the previous year 25 cases. "The conclusion of new HIV/AIDS infections in Belitung throughout 2022 was recorded to increase," he said. He said. He said that of the 33 cases found 30 cases were from within the region and three cases came from outside the region. Robi said that in the period January to February 2023 seven new cases of HIV/AIDS infections had been found in the area. Thus, from 2009 to 2022 KPA Belitung recorded as many as 332 people infected with HIV/AIDS in Belitung. "This indicates that there is an increase in the number of new cases of HIV/AIDS infections in Belitung," he said. He added, in addition, public awareness to check HIV/AIDS in the area is increasing, especially from risk groups. "The public of the current risk group already has an awareness to self-examine," he said. He said KPA Belitung continues to make promotive efforts to prevent new HIV/AIDS infections in the area. The activity is in the form of health services that are health promotional and preventive services (preventional). "We continue to carry out complaints to the key populations, namely Suka Mani Mana (LSL), Waria, inmates, massage parlors, THM and others," he said. KPA Belitung noted that until January 2023 as many as 123 people drank ARV drugs (Hriral drivers) to control HIV infections in their bodies so that they can live properly as ordinary people.Robi explained, the identity of people with HIV/ODHAs (ODHA) is currently still a secreted existence. This is because the community still cannot accept it fully and becomes a negative stigma. At the point of transmission of HIV/AIDS is not as easy as transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

He hopes that the public can prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS by not having free sex, being loyal to each other with halal partners, using contraceptives for those who are at risk, and avoiding the use of injecting narcotics in turn. "We invite the public to be part of suppressing the number of people with HIV/AIDS. Let's echo the strategy of Suluh, Find, Treat, and Maintain