Jakarta, IO – Yayasan Kemitraan Indonesia Sehat (YKIS) advisory board chairman Nafsiah Mboi, said there has been a change in the HIV/AIDS transmission trend in the society. According to her, the disease is now mostly affecting pregnant women and same-sex groups, a shift from female sex workers and gay men in 2012, reported Tempo, Wednesday (28/12).
The former health minister said that in 2021 the number of HIV infections among same-sex groups, especially gay men reached 9,826 cases and transmission to pregnant women totalled 4,466, up from 3,873 in 2017.
Nafsiah said Indonesia only had seven years left to eliminate HIV by 2030. She also appealed to all parties to work together to reduce the rate of transmission and mortality of HIV sufferers and stop stigmatizing or discriminating them.
Nafsiah also asked the government to increase surveillance of HIV/AIDS patients with regard to continuous treatment and to optimize case tracking. In addition, she said the government must intensify public education and monitor transmission.
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She also urged the public to continue increasing their awareness on HIV/AIDS. This can prevent further transmission and reduce discrimination against HIV/AIDS sufferers.
“We are optimistic that we can stop the transmission. This will also reduce the stigma and discrimination against sufferers,” said Nafsiah. (un)