Since 1987 until September 2023, Bali has reported 29,380 cases of HIV. In just the past year (2023), 1,500 new cases of HIV were registered in Bali. It's essential to consider those who haven't sought medical attention but are carriers of HIV. However, the numbers speak for themselves.
Moreover, the number of new HIV cases in Bali continues to decline compared to previous years. Many individuals (12,197 people) with HIV receive Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), which prevents HIV replication in the blood, reduces the risk of AIDS development, and prevents the spread of the disease. ART has been recognized as effective since 1997, and it has been provided free of charge in Indonesia since 2014.
Before the advent of ART, people infected with HIV usually died within 6-24 months. Thanks to treatment, individuals with HIV can now lead a full life with a reduced risk of disease transmission.
The head of the disease prevention and control department of Bali's health department, I Wayan Widia, emphasized that preventing HIV is achieved by avoiding unprotected sex, using condoms, and refraining from needle sharing during injections. In recent years, the government has successfully reduced needle exchange among illicit drug users.
Representatives of the health ministry stated their goal to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030. The end of the epidemic means no new cases, zero deaths from HIV, and the elimination of discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS, as discrimination is a significant barrier to seeking medical help.
Testing for HIV in Bali can be done at any laboratory or clinic. Various types of HIV tests are available, with the simplest one (HIV test) showing the presence/absence of the virus in the blood, costing around 200,000 Rp. There are also more accurate and modern methods that can detect the virus as early as 2-4 weeks after infection (NAT HIV TEST, PCR HIV), with prices starting from 1,000,000 Rp.
Bali Medica Clinic and Bali Peduli specialize in diagnosing and treating HIV/AIDS, conducting educational programs, and supporting individuals infected with HIV.
Source: NusaBali.com
You can add one right now!