JawaPos.com– The Riau Islands Provincial Health Bureau has issued a warning regarding the number of people infected with the immune system-destroying virus, HIV/AIDS, which has reached about 14,500 people since 2018 to date.
Riau Islands health bureau chief Muhammad Bisri said the total number of people infected with HIV from 2018 to date had reached 12,923 people. Meanwhile, there were 1,572 people with AIDS.
He explained that the total number of Riau Islands residents infected with HIV in 2018 was 9,461 people. New HIV cases at that time reached 1,088 people. The number of new cases in 2019 was 887 people, in 2021 it was 795 people and from January to November 2022 it was 672 people.
Meanwhile, the total number of AIDS cases in the Riau Islands in 2018 was 578 people after an increase of 287 people. New AIDS cases in 2019 increased to 420 people, while in 2020 there were 320 people, last year there were 181 people and in 2022 there will be 112 people.
“There are 6,784 people living with HIV/AIDS. From the data for 2018-2022, it can be seen that more than 50% died,” said Muhammad Bisri.
Bisri said that the management of HIV/AIDS is regulated by the Regulation of the Minister of Health number 21 of 2013 relating to the control of HIV/AIDS.
The goal for HIV testing in the Riau Islands in January-October 2022 for the homosexual group was 3,209 people, but only 1,109 people or 43% were met. While the inspection of the transgender group of 173 people reached 100%.
It added that the goal of reaching health checkups for sex workers had reached 3,209 people, reaching 1,109 people or 35%. And the goal of testing 182 injecting drug users was only met by 20 people.
“The goal of reaching health checks for partners of people living with HIV/AIDS is the goal of 2,116 people, 29 people have been reached,” Bisri said.
Bisri said HIV/AIDS transmission is not as easy as Covid-19. The transmission of HIV/AIDS is linked to morals and lifestyle.
“To prevent HIV/AIDS, you have to start with yourself. Faith and piety towards Allah is a stronghold to keep you from immoral acts like changing partners for sex. Strengthening family resilience is also a stronghold for HIV/AIDS prevention,” said Muhammad Bisri.
If the two methods cannot be implemented, the worst way to do it is to use a safety device when having sex as a form of responsibility to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS. “We are not advised to do anything bad or not good, but if you have to do it, you have to use security,” said Muhammad Bisri.
Publisher: Latu Ratri Mubyarsah
Reporter: In the middle
