18 HIV/AIDS patients died in Kotabaru

Kotabaru, South Kalimantan (Antaranews Kalimantan) - A total of 18 patients living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) died in the Kotabaru district.

Acting head of Health Agency Hj Ernawati here on Wednesday said from a total of 37 of HIV/AIDS patients in Kotabaru 18 of them died during 2005 to 2016, 

"The 37 cases of HIV/AIDS involved 26 women and 11 men," he said.

Meanwhile, Kotabaru currently has only a counselor on duty at the local general hospital, making a big impact on case of detection in the field.

The increasing incidence of HIV/AID influenced by many factors, including low socioeconomic, low knowledge about HIV/AIDS and its prevention, industrialization, new companies cause prostitution, while access to transportation and information is increasing.

Seeing these conditions, strategic move is necessary to suppress HIV/AIDS, as well as the support of cross-sector, and early detection of HIV/AIDS through counselor.

Assistant II Kotabaru secretariat H Joni Anwar asked that people who have a risk of HIV/AIDS should be treated well, in accordance with Regulation of the Minister of Health number 43/2016 on minimum standards service in health.

"By considering the conditions in Kotabaru today, a better handling is absolutely necessary so it does not drag on and prevent disease from endemic in society," he said.

He hoped the training program of handling HIV/AIDS for community health centers (puskesmas) throughout Kotabaru can improve case detection in the field quickly, so it can be handled well as it should.