Jakarta Health Dept. (Dinkes) continues to intensify prevention towards HIV/AIDS. It is needed to be done because HIV/AIDS is one type of diseases that could be prevented and controlled through participation from all related parties and citizens.

One of them is to give direct socialization to residents via mass media about how dangerous is this disease and how to prevent it

Jakarta Dinkes' Disease Prevention and Control Division Head, Widyastuti mentioned, her side has tried various ways to handle the disease, from prevention to handling it.

"One of them is to give direct socialization to residents via mass media about how dangerous is this disease and how to prevent it," she added, Tuesday (8/28).

As the preventive way, her side conducts screening towards people who have high potential for contracting HIV/AIDS such as commercial sex workers and non-sterile syringe users. It is done with cooperation with Provincial KPA, NGO, and related communities.

"We collaborate with related institutions thus we can reach key population groups who have high potential for contracting HIV/AIDS and giving free medicine or other preventive ways," she explained.

Her side also cooperates with KUA, religious office at provincial, city, and sub-district levels to give education and socialization to the future brides and grooms. Besides, those couple will undergo screening to make sure they are positive towards HIV/AIDS or not. If any of them is found positive, then access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) will be given. 

"Besides, we also provide free HIV test to all pregnant women in Puskesmas. If the mother is positive to HIV, then we will give a medicine that could help the baby thus at least not get infected," she conveyed.