CIREBON DISTRICT, SC- As many as 400 residents assisted by the Class IIA Gintung Narcotics Correctional Institution (Lapasustik) in Cirebon underwent an HIV/AIDS screening examination conducted by the Cirebon District Health Office (Dinkes) at the local prison, Thursday (9/12/2021).
Acting Head of the Cirebon District Health Office, Dr. Bambang Sumardi, said that the target population is a key population that needs attention in terms of HIV/AIDS transmission. For this reason, his party prioritizes the screening examination of the inmates of the prison.
“We know that the high risk of spreading AIDS is one of the populations in prisons, this is due to the use of needles and others,” said Bambang.
According to Bambang, in overcoming the problem of HIV/AIDS in Cirebon Regency, his party has prepared 60 health centers and 10 hospitals (RS), including the prison clinic itself. Where, the prison clinic is able to carry out HIV/AIDS treatment therapy.
Therefore, he appealed to the public not to hesitate to check themselves into a number of these health services, because the target of HIV/AIDS is not only the inmates.
“So all people who have a high risk can access HIV/AIDS services in all health centers and hospitals and clinics here,” said Bambang.
He explained that anticipating the spread of HIV/AIDS requires the role of all parties, including HIV/AIDS activists, in terms of education and outreach. The involvement of all parties is needed to suppress the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
From the data held by the Cirebon District Health Office, he said, there were 181 cases of HIV/AIDS in Cirebon until October 2021. So that the total number of HIV/AIDS sufferers in Cirebon Regency is 2,501 cases.
Meanwhile, for the rate of recovery, Bambang continued, it really depends on the person concerned because it is carried out on an ongoing basis. As long as the patient can control his condition, during that time the patient will be able to control HIV/AIDS.
“As long as it can be controlled, God willing, it can control age, even though that age has been determined by Allah. But with the will and regular treatment, the replication of the virus in our body can be suppressed,” said Bambang.
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Meanwhile, Head of Class IIA Narcotics Headquarters, Gintung Cirebon, Nur Bambang Suprihandono, revealed that the HIV/AIDS screening of 400 inmates really helped his party in controlling HIV and TB (Tubercolosis).
He hopes that these activities can be carried out in a sustainable manner.
“This activity is very useful and we hope that this screening can be sustainable,” he concluded. (Improvement)
