East Jakarta Strengthens Preventive, Promotive Measures Against HIV/AIDS

The East Jakarta Health Sub-agency continues to strengthen preventive and promotive efforts to prevent HIV transmission and infection, including among adolescents and students.

Prevention remains a top priority alongside treatment

East Jakarta Health Sub-agency Head Arief Wahyudhy said the agency is prioritizing promotive and preventive measures by strengthening reproductive health education, HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, promoting healthy lifestyles, and expanding access to HIV counseling and testing services for those who need them.

Health Agency Strengthens Efforts to Handle AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria

"Based on data on newly identified people living with HIV (PLHIV) at HIV service facilities in East Jakarta from January to June 2026, most cases were found among people aged 25 to 49," he said on Monday (13/7).

Arief explained that 14 cases were recorded among individuals aged 16 to 18, with cases spread across all sub-districts in East Jakarta. However, he stressed that the data cannot be used to conclude that there are HIV cases among junior high school students, who are generally between 12 and 15 years old.

"The data also do not indicate that all of the cases came from a single school," he added.

Arief said the East Jakarta Health Sub-agency continues to respond in line with Ministry of Health guidelines by coordinating with healthcare centers, hospitals, schools, and other relevant stakeholders.

"These efforts are intended to ensure that every patient receives testing, counseling, assistance, and antiretroviral (ARV) therapy while maintaining strict confidentiality," he emphasized.

According to Arief, prevention remains a top priority alongside treatment. He said educating the public about how HIV is actually transmitted is essential to breaking the chain of transmission while reducing stigma.

Arief stressed that people living with HIV do not need to be isolated and can continue going to school, working, and participating in everyday activities, as HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact, including shaking hands, hugging, sharing food, or being in the same room.

"We urge the public to improve their understanding of HIV/AIDS, avoid high-risk behavior, refrain from stigmatizing or discriminating against people living with HIV, and make use of HIV counseling and testing services at healthcare facilities if they have risk factors or need more information," he noted.