VOINews, Jakarta: The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkes RI) is urging the public to actively participate in eliminating HIV/AIDS in Indonesia, emphasizing that good health is a fundamental human right. This appeal was made during a World AIDS Day 2024 webinar, held virtually on Saturday, by Dr. Ina Agustina Isturini, Director of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control.
"Ending AIDS is closely tied to upholding all human rights. In the context of Indonesia's diversity, let us collectively reaffirm that dignity, equality, and justice must form the foundation of efforts to combat HIV and AIDS," Dr. Ina stated.
Dr. Ina emphasized Indonesia's strong commitment to achieving the global goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS. This includes achieving the "three zeros" target: zero new cases, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero discrimination. The ambitious plan reflects the nation's determination to tackle the disease holistically.
To meet these objectives, Indonesia has implemented several strategic measures. These include expanding access to diagnosis and treatment, increasing the availability of viral load testing services, and implementing prevention programs such as providing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). "These advancements have saved countless lives, but the road ahead remains challenging," Dr. Ina said. She highlighted social stigma and discrimination as significant barriers, especially for marginalized groups such as injecting drug users, sex workers, and the LGBTQ+ community.
The Ministry has also set ambitious targets for the 95-95-95 strategy: 95% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) diagnosed, 95% of diagnosed individuals receiving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, and 95% of those on ARV achieving undetectable viral loads. However, current data reveals gaps in achieving these goals. As of September 2024, only 71% of estimated PLHIV are aware of their HIV status, 64% are receiving ARV therapy, and only 49% of those on treatment have undetectable viral loads.
"These figures are far from the global targets, and innovative approaches are urgently needed to address these challenges," Dr. Ina said. She underlined the critical importance of a comprehensive commitment to human rights, asserting that health is a fundamental right for everyone, regardless of their background.
Dr. Ina also emphasized the role of community involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Empowering the voices of PLHIV, their families, and support groups is essential to ensure inclusive decision-making processes. "Community engagement strengthens efforts to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all," she noted.
Education and public awareness play a vital role in eliminating stigma and harmful myths surrounding HIV/AIDS. "By fostering understanding and dispelling misinformation, we can build a more inclusive and supportive society," Dr. Ina concluded.
With ongoing efforts and a unified commitment to health equity, Indonesia is striving to create a future free from HIV/AIDS, where all individuals can live with dignity and without fear of discrimination./ANTARA/VOI
