Klojen (malangkota.go.id) – The Malang City Government invites the public not to discriminate against People with HIV/AIDS (ODHA). This appeal continues to be campaigned in commemoration of World AIDS Day which is commemorated together with National Health Day at Car Free Day (CFD) Malang City, Sunday (1/12/2024). In line with the theme of World AIDS Day 2024, namely 'Equal Rights and Together We Can', it is hoped that ODHA can also get their rights and live independently.
Head of the Malang City Health Office (Dinkes) Husnul Muarif emphasized the importance of collaboration between various parties in combating HIV/AIDS. This was reflected in the long march carried out in commemoration of AIDS Day 2024 by involving various communities to campaign for HIV/AIDS prevention and call for anti-discrimination against PLWHA.
The Health Office also continues to carry out various preventive efforts through campaigns, socialization, and various other educational activities to provide understanding to the public about the dangers of HIV/AIDS, including to support people with HIV/AIDS by eliminating the negative stigma on them. "We must give them equal rights. Eliminate the negative stigma, there should be no discrimination," he said.
Husnul said that around 600 people were diagnosed positive for HIV/AIDS in Malang City in 2024 (until November). Meanwhile, based on the 2023 Malang City Health Profile, in that year the number of HIV cases in Malang City was 512 with details of 408 men and 104 women. Of that number, the majority of patients were in the 25-49 age group, 266 people with details of 194 men and 72 women. The phenomenon is the same as in 2022. "In 2024, our findings were at 600. While cumulatively, there are currently around 2.000 sufferers who are still undergoing treatment in Malang City," said Husnul.
Husnul said that the Malang City Health Office along with 16 health centers and several hospitals provide HIV/AIDS examination and treatment services. In fact, the Dinoyo Health Center and Pandanwangi Health Center provide extra services. "So this can be accessed by clients outside of regular service hours so that we can serve from 13.00 WIB to 19.00 WIB. Because this is a national program, those who access it are not only residents with ID cards or domiciled in Malang City, but it can also be accessed by residents of Malang Raya and even those from outside Malang Raya," explained Husnul.
"We also provide voluntary counseling (TKS) or mobile voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). This is according to the client's request to be able to undergo examination. That's what our friends at the health center and hospital do," he said.
VCT is a counseling and testing service carried out on the initiative of the client, either individually or through the community. The goal is to prevent HIV transmission, provide moral support, information, and other support to PLWHA, their families and their environment. Not only counseling, clients can also take an HIV test in the form of a blood test to ensure the presence of HIV antibodies in the blood sample. (ari/yn)
