COUNTRY – Positive cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Jembrana are increasing every year, reaching 1,067 people.
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However, the annual average has begun to decrease drastically from the cumulative number.
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Head of the Jembrana Health Service, I Gusti Bagus Ketut Oka Parwata, said that since 2005 there were 1,067 HIV/AIDS cases recorded until this year. However, the cumulative number, not all of them are active because several people living with HIV have died, so that currently there are 401 people who are still actively seeking treatment.
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“From the cumulative data of this case, the remaining 600 people have died, because it is no longer recorded to take drugs,” he said, Tuesday (2/11).
According to him, although the cumulative cases reached 1,067 people, the average number of cases each year actually decreased in the last three years. In 2019 there were 95 cases, the following year in 2020 it fell to 87 cases and in 2021 until this month only 54 cases.
“To prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS, we optimize promotive and preventive measures, as well as stronger case screening,” he explained.
Separately, Director of the State General Hospital Ni Putu Eka Indrawati said, indeed, the number of PLWHA who came to take medicine at the clinic of the State General Hospital was low, as many as 401 people every month. PLWHA who have stopped treatment because they have died or it could be because they are reluctant to seek treatment because there is no support from themselves and their families.
“Psychologically, I have given up, so I don’t want to take regular treatment. Whereas if you get regular treatment, you can reduce the risk. Therefore, you need support from your family so you can get regular treatment,” he explained.
Apart from these psychological factors, although the initial diagnosis was in Jembrana, it is possible to seek treatment in other areas according to his domicile. Therefore, his party synergizes with other parties, such as companion volunteers so that PLWHA who have not received regular treatment to be given assistance and look for PLWHA who are still scattered.
A total of 401 people who regularly come to health facilities to ask for drugs such as antiretrovirals (ARVs), also receive assistance so that they do not stop taking drugs. This drug is expected to control viral infections so that PLWHA patients can live healthy lives while reducing the risk of transmission to others.
In line with the statement, the volunteers accompanying people diagnosed as positive for HIV/AIDS or people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), who have not received treatment are called lost follow-up, there are two possibilities so they do not receive treatment. One of them is because he died shortly after being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, so he did not receive treatment. Another possibility is that he kept his condition a secret, so he did not want to seek treatment.
“Our job is as a companion and looking for those who have not received treatment, service approaches, counseling to visits to PLWHA’s homes to provide motivation,” said Made Suarnayasa, from the Bali Starling PLWHA volunteer assistant.
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