Kapuas Hulu Health Office Handles 70 People Infected With HIV/AIDS

Illustration-(Photo: DOK ANTARA)

The Office of Health, Population Control and Family Planning for Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan, is currently taking serious treatment of 70 residents who have tested positive for HIV/AIDS. "In addition to handling the suffering of HIV/AIDS, we are also trying to provide education and testing and counseling services to prevent the spread of the virus," said Head of Health Resources at the Kapuas Hulu Health Office, Kastono in Putussibau Kapuas Hulu, Antara, Monday, August 14. Kastono conveyed that the problem of HIV/AIDS in Kapuas Hulu was a serious concern, even though Kapuas Hulu was in the area at the end of West Kalimantan, from 2016 to 2023 there were 70 people infected with HIV/AIDS. According to him, the risk of spreading HIV/AIDS in Kapuas Hulu is caused by several factors, including migration and lack of knowledge about safe sex. He explained that HIV has a serious impact on human health. The virus attacks the immune system, destroying cells that are important to fight infection. As a result, HIV sufferers become more susceptible to various infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and even some types of cancer. If not treated, HIV can develop into AIDS, a further stage of disease, where the body has great difficulty fighting infection. Therefore, the Kapuas Hulu Health Office always campaigns for education about safe sex, the use of condoms, and the importance of regular HIV testing. This campaign aims to increase public awareness about the risk of HIV and how to prevent its spread. In addition, said Kastono, the Kapuas Hulu Health Office also provided HIV testing facilities at 23 Puskesmas and three hospitals in Kapuas Hulu Regency and counseling for the community. "Testing is important for detecting infection early on, so that treatment steps can be taken immediately," he said. Meanwhile, according to Kastono, access to treatment, every individual infected with HIV requires easy access to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. Thus, the Health Office cooperates with medical institutions to provide ARV to all HIV sufferers in need and for now the treatment has been divided into seven points, namely at the Achmad Diponegoro Hospital, North Putussibau Health Center, South Putussibau Health Center, Badau Health Center, Kalis Health Center, Jongkong Health Center and Semitau Health Center.

Kastono said, in addition to physical treatment, HIV sufferers also need psychosocial support to overcome the stigma and emotional impacts that may arise, resulting in ODHIV being able to break up treatment. "Prevention and handling of HIV/AIDS requires the cooperation of all parties, especially the community, especially on understanding and supervision in the association of our children," he said.