HIV-AIDS patients increases in HST, 29 died

Barabai, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - Patients with deadly diseases caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) keep increasing in Central Hulu Sungai (HST) District from 2014 to 2017.

Representatives from the local Health Agency Sakdillah in the coordination meeting to form TB, HIV/AIDS and Filariasis Working Group on Wednesday (13/9) here declared that until August 2017 there were 53 people infected and 29 were dead.

"The case of HIV/AIDS is spread in 14 of the 19 public health center (puskesmas) across the district and most are in the Puskesmas Barabai with 15 cases," he said.

According to him, in Puskesmas Pandawan also found 7 cases, Puskesmas Durian Gantang and Sungai Buluh respectively 4 cases, and Pagat 3 cases.

"While in Pantai Hambawang, Birayang, Hantakan, Kalibaru, Kasarangan and Haruyan, each with 2 cases, then in Awang Besar, Limpasu and Kubur Jawa each only one case," said Sakdillah.

He explained the HIV/AIDS case across South Kalimantan Province from 2002 to 2016 found as many as 1,667 and in 2016 alone as many as 265 cases.

"From the data, the contagion is 89.9 percent due to the sexual risk factor and the case is more common in young people in productive age 20 to 29 years," he said.

Seeing the increase in the cases, the Regent represented by Acting Regional Secretary H Akhmad Tamzil asked all parties to take steps and efforts to prevent and overcome them.

"This requires maximum cooperation by mapping potential service facilities and partners that can contribute to the discovery of HIV/AID patients such as hospitals, physicians, laboratories and health organizations," he said.

He insisted the need for contact investigations, particularly those living in areas at high risk of transmission, and continuous monitoring of medication adherence to patients.

"We will also strengthen our commitment by making regulations on the HIV/AIDS disease elemination to increase the funding," said Tamzil.