JawaPos.com– The Magetan District Health Office, East Java, found 69 new cases of HIV/AIDS sufferers during 2021.
“The cases of HIV/AIDS continue to increase. Even at the beginning of 2022, there were already two people with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Magetan Regency who had died,” said Agoes Yudi Purnomo, the Sub-Coordinator for the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases at the Magetan Health Office. Between in Magetan.
He said the number of PLWHA in Magetan Regency continues to increase from year to year. In fact, the case of HIV/AIDS in the region is an iceberg phenomenon, considering that only the external cases are revealed.
“There are still many cases that have not been revealed. This makes new cases of HIV/AIDS found in Magetan Regency continue to occur every year,” explained Agoes Yudi Purnomo.
The Magetan Health Office continues to strengthen data collection and assistance for old and new PLWHA. Currently, there are a total of 154 PLWHA undergoing ARV therapy in six Support and Treatment Clinics (PDP). PDP Clinic is a health service that focuses on the spread and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
“We have six PDP clinic services. Two are at the hospital and four are at the puskesmas,” said Agoes.
As an effort to prevent the addition of PLWHA who died, the Health Office through the puskesmas conducted data collection of PLWHA who had stopped or had not undergone ARV therapy. “We will strengthen data collection and assistance again. We will record data on those who have stopped or have not received ARV therapy. Furthermore, there will be a companion who accompanies PLWHA friends to consistently undergo ARV therapy, “said Agoes Yudi Purnomo.
ARV therapy is one of the recommended treatments for PLWHA. ARVs or antiretroviral drugs cannot cure HIV/AIDS patients. ARVs reduce viral load, i.e. the amount of HIV in the bloodstream. If viral load lower, PLWHA will stay healthy longer survive and can minimize the possibility of transmitting HIV to others.
–
Editor: Latu Ratri Mubyarsah
Reporter : Antara
–
