Terkini.id, Makassar – A total of 4,337 people with HIV or OD-HIV are undergoing treatment in Makassar City. Behind these numbers, a reality is hidden that is much more complex and demands deeper attention.
It is not just the discovery of HIV cases that is in the spotlight, but the iceberg phenomenon that is not fully visible. Only those who dare to access health services are reported, while there are still many cases out there that have not been detected.
Key populations, such as sex workers, transgender people and same-sex couples, dominate the number of cases. They are a group that is vulnerable to this impact.
People on HIV treatment undergo lifelong treatment, but they continue to carry out daily activities. The only difference is that they take regular medication every day.
“It is important to note that people with HIV who regularly take medication will not transmit the virus to other people,” said Makassar City Health Service HIV Program Manager Harfianti Firman to the latest some time ago.
Harfianti emphasized the need to overcome the stigma against HIV. In Indonesia, stigma remains high, prompting many people to hide their HIV status for fear of discrimination in the workplace.
In fact, HIV transmission is not as easy as many people think. Harfianti explained that transmission is not as efficient as diseases such as TB or Hepatitis. However, the public stigma against HIV is much stronger than other infectious diseases.
“They carry out activities every day, the only difference is that they take regular medication every day,” he said.
He said that the program in Makassar City still focuses on key population groups. Harfianti underlined the importance of community support so that people living with HIV have the courage to access health services and get tested.
In an effort to involve the community, Harfianti invited them to see HIV as a medical condition that can be treated. He emphasized that with the right approach, HIV transmission can be completely prevented.
2023-12-21 10:41:18
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