In response to this situation, institutions and social institutions in Jayapura have been working to address it by offering educational counseling to both uninfected individuals and those who have tested positive.
During every sermon, Pastor Dora Balubun has always reminded her congregation of the importance of avoiding harmful behaviors that contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Furthermore, parents and families are expected to always monitor their children's social interactions to prevent promiscuity.
Parental supervision is indeed necessary, given the high number of young people infected with HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to the 2024 data, there were 6,805 PLWHA aged 1-25 years in all provinces in Papua.
Since 2007, the Indonesian Christian Church Synod (GKI) in Papua, through the Department of Compassion and Justice Services, has been actively mobilizing pastors at every opportunity to educate people to not engage in deviant behaviors and remain faithful to their partners while offering assistance.
The pastors had been given counseling related to HIV and other social diseases by technical agencies, which has enhanced their understanding of the disease before they share this knowledge with the community.
The church also encourages community members to undergo an examination. Those who test positive for HIV are directed immediately to receive treatment at the nearest hospital or health center. Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) are available at these health facilities. These medications must be taken regularly without interruption by those infected with HIV.
“Counseling and education related to the impact of free sex must indeed be carried out frequently, especially for the younger generation," Balubun stressed.
In addition to churches or other religious institutions, social institutions should enhance counseling efforts to educate the community at every opportunity.
Balubun expressed hope that ongoing counseling could lead to a decrease in HIV cases.
Balubun is optimistic that counseling delivered during sermons would make the community more vigilant, encouraging them to avoid deviant behavior and remain faithful to their life partners. Singles are advised to avoid free sex.
To handle HIV-positive people, the church has the Wali Hole shelter, which was previously operational for such individuals. However, it is currently closed, as the church is establishing a foundation to manage it.
"We also provide counseling for those who tested positive by providing reinforcement so they are willing to take ARV drugs routinely. This drug can help them live a healthy life normally,” the pastor explained.
Meanwhile, Agus Adil OFM, who leads the Surya Kasih shelter, which is currently assisting five people with HIV, admitted that HIV/AIDS cases must be handled through the involvement of all parties.
After counseling followed by examination, HIV-positive patients should be offered motivation through mental health support. They should also be monitored to ensure adherence to ARV drugs for a healthy life.
Several HIV patients who were earlier treated and handled by his shelter are still alive and healthy. For instance, a child who contracted HIV from both parents is now 18 and leads a healthy life.
The child continues to attend high school and consistently takes ARVs despite the virus no longer being detectable in the body during PCR tests.
Furthermore, HIV/AIDS activist Robert Sihombing acknowledged that assistance for PLWHA is crucial, particularly for those who have not disclosed their status to their families.
This assistance should also be extended to their families so they can help their loved ones without risking infection.
According to Sihombing, providing assistance is a vital component of managing HIV cases. For instance, in the case of pregnant PLWHA, assistance given can reduce the likelihood of their babies being born with HIV by ensuring a safe delivery process.
Consequently, he started the Jayapura Support Group (JSG) in 2001, which continues to provide assistance to this day.
Concerning the rise in HIV cases in Jayapura City, he noted that this trend was unavoidable, primarily due to sexual behavior. Hence, his side has focused on educating individuals who tested positive for HIV.
He believes that controlling the spread of HIV is challenging without changes in sexual behavior.
Currently, the JSG continues to assist 50 PLWHA and educate them on the importance of routinely taking ARVs.
ARVs
For patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle and perform daily activities normally, there is no alternative to taking ARV medications.
In 2002, Irma was diagnosed with HIV and became the first PLWHA in Papua to start taking ARV treatment. Since 2003, she has routinely taken ARVs according to schedule. She has been able to carry out activities normally until now.
Head of the Jayapura City Health Office Dr Ni Nyoman Sri Antari stated that health workers across all health centers in Jayapura City were deployed to provide counseling on the transmission and dangers of HIV/AIDS and also on ways to handle those infected through the intake of ARV drugs.
Regular consumption of ARVs is proven to decrease the viral load in the body to the point where it may not be detectable through PCR testing. If the examination shows that the HIV virus is undetectable in the body of PLWHA, then that person can no longer transmit the virus.
In such conditions, it is crucial to constantly remind PLWHA to take their ARVs regularly, as discontinuing treatment can lead to an increase in viral load in the body.
In certain instances, several PLWHA who are married to non-PLWHA have seen their partners remain HIV-negative, thanks to the consistent use of ARVs by PLWHA.
Irma, who has been taking ARVs for 22 years, acknowledges that the HIV virus will always be present in her body.
That fact indeed distinguishes her from other people, but it does not concern her, as her ARV treatment keeps the virus undetectable in her body.
"Even though I am a PLWHA, I can still do normal activities and make peace with the virus," she remarked while hoping that society would not ostracize PLWHA.
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Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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