Jayapura, Jubi – The Jayapura City Health Office has introduced a hotline service, reachable at 08114897788, aimed at addressing HIV/AIDS treatment in the city. This hotline serves as a telephone helpline for the public to seek information and provides guidance to individuals at high risk of HIV/AIDS to the nearest healthcare facility.
During the Training for Peer Support Community Groups 2023 event at Grand Abe Hotel on Friday (20/10/2023), Ni Nyoman Sri Antari, the head of Jayapura City Health Office, revealed that in 2023, a total of 7,761 individuals in Jayapura City had been identified as having HIV, while 5,761 others remain undiagnosed. Among the 7,761 individuals diagnosed, 2,387 are still living, with 1,129 having undergone HIV VL tests to assess viral load in the blood of individuals with HIV/AIDS.
“Fortunately, 843 individuals witnessed a reduction in their viral load as a result of the test,” Antari noted.
The Jayapura City Health Office organized the event with the objective of addressing HIV/AIDS comprehensively, ranging from early case identification to lifelong treatment, recognizing the absence of a cure and the challenge of providing continuous care.
Antari emphasized the importance of establishing a ‘Peer Support Group,’ particularly for those dealing with the disease. These groups can facilitate knowledge-sharing and prevent transmission to uninfected individuals.
Additionally, the training enhances community members’ understanding of HIV/AIDS, enabling them to serve as ‘HIV/AIDS Ambassadors’ in the community. In 2022, an additional 1,984 cases were recorded, reflecting the ongoing challenge of this issue.
HIV is a virus that attacks human immune system cells, impairing their function. Without prompt and appropriate treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). There is a collective hope for a cure to be found for the HIV/AIDS virus to prevent its yearly increase. (*)
