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HIV/AIDS in Indonesia

HIV/AIDS in IndonesiaHIV/AIDS is an ongoing challenge in Indonesia. An estimated 540,000 people are living with HIV in the country. On average, there are 25,000-28,000 new HIV infection cases each year. The prevalence of HIV is increasing, with an estimated HIV prevalence of approximately 0.3% in the country. The age group most affected by HIV comprises individuals between 25 and 49 years old, while young people under the age of 19 make up approximately 5.8% of HIV cases. Alarmingly, only 64% of those living with HIV in Indonesia are aware of their positive status. 

Prevention Efforts and Treatment

Indonesia has implemented various strategies to prevent new infections, including education campaigns, condom distribution, harm reduction programs and targeted interventions for key affected populations. Specifically, an organization by the name of AHF Indonesia has been implementing HIV testing and treatment programs in Indonesia since 2016. It provides laboratory tests, free ART drugs and capacity building for hospital staff. Advocacy programs aim to revise community testing and early treatment strategies. Efforts focus on preventing HIV transmission through education, especially among key populations in urban areas. 

One of the most common methods of treatment is the ART drug. Consistency is vital in ensuring effectiveness. However, despite the importance of treatment adherence, it has been a significant challenge in Indonesia. Previous studies have highlighted numerous barriers and facilitators to adherence, such as stigma, discrimination and limited resources. This is why continued investments in prevention, early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment approaches are essential to reduce new infections and improve the quality of life for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Indonesia.

Collaborative Efforts

The National AIDS Commission (KPA) and the Ministry of Health are key institutions responsible for developing and implementing policies related to prevention, treatment and care. These policies aim to address the challenges of the epidemic, promote awareness, reduce stigma and discrimination and ensure access to quality services. Additionally, collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations and international partners is essential for effective policy implementation. The Indonesia HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Project (IHPCP) is a collaborative initiative working in partnership with the Government of Indonesia. IHPCP has played a pivotal role in the country’s response to HIV/AIDS, making significant contributions in various areas. 

One notable achievement has been its pioneering work in implementing Needle and Syringe Programs (NSP) to prevent the transmission of HIV among people who inject drugs. Additionally, IHPCP has been instrumental in promoting and supporting methadone programs, which have proven effective in harm reduction efforts. The project operates through collaboration with both the public health system and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), ensuring a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach to HIV/AIDS prevention and care in Indonesia.

Looking Ahead

As the fight against HIV/AIDS in Indonesia continues, there are promising prospects for the future. Strengthening prevention efforts, enhancing access to treatment and care and reducing stigma and discrimination are key areas that demand attention. Intensifying education and awareness campaigns, implementing innovative prevention strategies and expanding targeted interventions for key populations can contribute to reducing new infections. By prioritizing these areas, Indonesia can forge a path toward a future where new infections are minimized, quality care is accessible to all, and the impact of HIV/AIDS is significantly reduced.

– Elizabeth Watters
Photo: Flickr

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The Fight Against Non-Communicable Diseases in Indonesia

Healthcare in Indonesia
The COVID-19 pandemic drew attention to the spread of airborne diseases and the vulnerability of the human population, but in everyday lives, another form of disease continues to haunt humans. These are non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are typically long-lasting and do not have a specific cause. The most common NCDs are cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancer and diabetes. The cause of death for individuals around the globe remains NCDs in 71% of all cases, an alarming statistic that becomes more apparent considering most of these deaths are premature. Of those dying from NCDs, 85% are located in “low- and middle-income countries.” The prevalence of these types of diseases in Indonesia and other countries harms specifically those living in poverty. Among numerous other challenges in their daily lives, people do not have the resources for medical treatment or must utilize all of their remaining resources for treatments. The prevention of NCDs prevails as an important policy goal to implement in the fight against decreasing the number of deaths associated with NCDs and reducing poverty.

Non-Communicable Diseases in Indonesia

Located in Southeast Asia and consisting of numerous islands, Indonesia boasts a tropical climate. Indonesia is one of the most populous countries in the world, behind China, India and the United States. The demographics of the population are young with 42% under the age of 25. About 10% of the population lives in poverty.

With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing into focus some of the pre-existing health conditions that remain health risks when contracting the virus, it is important to address the concerns of high rates of NCDs and improve health care in Indonesia. According to the World Bank, NCDs caused 76% of deaths in Indonesia in 2019, a number that continues to rise over time. This is above the rate of 71% of deaths that NCDs have caused in the world, meaning that people must pay close attention to the risks of NCDs within this population.

Project Hope

In 1958, a Navy veteran, Dr. William B. Walsh founded an organization called Project Hope. His service in World War II inspired him to address health concerns that he encountered during wartime. The organization’s work started on a restored ship called SS Hope which delivered healthcare around the world, especially during the Cold War. Now, Project Hope operates by training the local medical community of volunteers in more than 20 countries. Over its 60 years of service, the organization trained more than 2 million individuals and delivered $2 billion in resources to communities in need.

To respond to the problem of NCDs in Indonesia, Project Hope assists with diagnosis and education about the issue, even utilizing remote training during the COVID-19 pandemic with a partnership with Brown University. The organization works especially hard on the ability to diagnose patients because it predicts many cases of NCDs remain undiagnosed. This realization is relevant because it assists in knowing how to respond and treat diseases within the population, the ability to prevent certain diseases and asserting control over diseases rather than simply reacting to emergencies involving one’s NCD. The organization educates doctors on diabetes and delves into issues related to asthma by training medical professionals and providing information on the detention of asthma. Project Hope helped more than 11,000 people seek treatment for their diseases, transforming the field of health care in Indonesia.

Project Hope’s Larger Impact

Apart from its work in NCDs, Project Hope also assists in other areas of health care in Indonesia. The organization works to address the deaths of mothers and infants, which largely occur in live births and due to malnutrition, respectively. Through health programs for mothers and children and “monthly wellness clinics,” local communities work together to address maternal and child health. Similarly, Project Hope responds to disasters within the region. For example, after the tsunami in Sulawesi in 2018, Project Hope assisted in providing insecticide to prevent malaria, providing water through new purification systems and checking for NCDs in the population.

The range of work that Project Hope completes in health care in Indonesia is broad but equally important. Through its main project of addressing NCDs in the region, improving maternal and child care and emergency response, the organization continues to make a large impact on the region after more than 60 years.

– Kaylee Messick
Photo: Flickr