BugisPos, Sidrap – Located in the courtyard of Ganggawa monument, Pangkajene Sidenreng, Sidrap Regent, H. Dollah Mando mingled with the community by doing gymnastics together in commemoration of World AIDS Day (HAS) 2022 on Sunday (4/12/2022).
The event was attended by the Chief Executive Officer of the Sidrap branch of the Association of HIV-AIDS Consultants HAS, Andi Palla and the Executive Secretary, Hj. Nurvati.
Also in attendance were Sidenreng Rappang District Health, Population Control and Family Planning Division Head of Disease Control Prevention Division, Ishak Kenre, and Sidrap Kominfo Service Secretary, Asmawati Piarah.
Also present were puskesmas leaders, HIV-AIDS managers at puskesmas and hospitals, the general public, NGOs dealing with HIV-AIDS, people living with HIV (ODHIV) and Sidrap AIDS officials Commission (KPA).
The Regent of Sidrap on that occasion conveyed the importance of efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS.
“Let’s do prevention together by not having free sex, risky sex and being faithful to your partner,” ordered Dollah Mando.
She also hopes that society does not discriminate against and negatively stigmatize people living with HIV/AIDS.
“Don’t discriminate, we have to provide support for therapeutic therapy,” she said.
In addition to gymnastics, said the head of the commission, Andi Palla, there was also the distribution of door prizes and the delivery of award certificates.
“The paper was given to all puskesmas chiefs and hospital directors for the support given to VCT HIV-AIDS team and PDP team in prevention of HIV virus transmission and treatment of PLWHA and PLHIV chiefs in Sidenreng district Rappang,” he explained.
At the same venue, Mitra Husada Foundation Field Coordinator (Korlap), Padli Odding, called on this momentum to be used as a spirit of united steps, walking hand in hand to create collective awareness and movement.
“So that we can easily overcome HIV/AIDS and be able to eliminate stigma and discrimination for PLHIV (people living with HIV),” she said.
Meanwhile, a statement from a person with PLHIV said he contracted the HIV virus in 2019.
“I currently have access to antiretrovital drugs or ARVs at Arifin Numang Hospital,” he said.
He then urged people living with HIV/AIDS to think positively in all things and not to get discouraged.
“If I can do it, you should be able to do it too. Remember, the HIV virus is not a disease. But the virus will become a disease if ARV therapy is not met,” she said.
World AIDS Day is commemorated every December 1 since 1988 which was determined by the World Health Organization (WHO) which was later chosen as World AIDS Day.
AIDS Day 2022 carries the theme “Equalize”. Through this theme, the commemoration of World AIDS Day 2022 calls on people around the world to overcome the inequalities that hinder progress in eradicating HIV/AIDS.
(rls/SM)
