the non-discriminatory services, friendly and free for people living with HIV and AIDS
World AIDS Day was held on 1 December 2014, according to UNAIDS, HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) and (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) AIDS in Indonesia is one of the fastest growing epidemics in Asia, due to lack of awareness, lack of education and health services, not to mention the social stigma attached to having HIV or AIDS. first case of HIV virus in Indonesia was reported in 1987 and 2011, 310,000 were reported to have the virus, with 8,700 reported deaths annually.
Today, the highest concentration areas are Papua, where 2.7% of the population contracted the virus, followed by Jakarta, East Java, West Java, Bali and Riau. In Wamina, West Papua, 30% of the population has HIV, and almost 100% had either chlamydia or gonorrhea because these particular STDs are closely linked with HIV virus.
Steve Wignall, founder of Yayasan Kasih Suwitno (YKS) to Jakarta and Bali Yayasan Peduli (YBP) in Bali, has worked in Indonesia for 30 years and is an expert in HIV and AIDS. Due to an increase in cases among young people, in 2011 Steve and Dr. Emon Winardi (clinic director) and their friend Johan YKS set up Ruang Carlo Community Centre to provide services to patients who were friendly, efficient , accessible and above all, free.
The clinic is located at Saint Carolus Hospital and is a comfortable and quiet area, closed the rest of the hospital. The walls are painted a soothing cream, the service is friendly and knowledgeable, and there are different areas where patients can wait in peace.
"In young people with a chronic illness, it is very difficult They do not have a lot of disposable income. The system often does not respect their time and the cost of return transportation," Steve m ' said during my visit to the clinic in the center of Jakarta.
Ruang Carlo Community Center
Today, the clinic has six full-time employees and is a wonderful example of public-private partnership, in collaboration with the government providing reagents and drugs, and NGOs that provide environmental and resources to make it accessible to people.
A common misconception is that HIV is a death sentence, where truer. If a person is tested early, before their immune system is damaged, the drug free and they will be able to live a healthy and happy life, have families and not infect others. People are afraid to come for testing because of the stigma associated with the virus.
Dr. Janice Tandraeliene works Ruang Carlo Community Centre and believes stigmas are the main reason why people do not take the test. "Some people are afraid to come, not only here but in all health facilities that test for HIV. There are several reasons, including stigma, because they are lonely and do not know what to do. When people come here alone, we try to consult and explain HIV and make them comfortable so they want to take the test. "If the result is positive, patients will be guided therapy and given medication, they are supposed to take for the rest of their lives.
The drug given to patients with HIV is called antiplatelet therapy -rétrovirale and works by suppressing the virus and stop the progression of the disease. Killing the virus is not possible, but these drugs stop developing. HIV is different from other viruses and infections as it becomes one with . DNA, integrating and hiding inside patients do not die of HIV, they die of infections, viruses and fungi, which can attack the immune system is weakened
["Unfortunately, HIV is going to dalang (brain) of our immune system, CD4 positive T cells, a type of white blood cell which is vital to the fight against infection. We are all exposed daily to viruses and fungi, but our immune system takes care of this, "says Steve.
HIV is transmitted in key infected populations: injecting drug users - a problem that is declining in Indonesia that people are turning to amphetamine-like substances - female commercial workers of sex - 10 15% of them are HIV-positive - and men who have sex with men - a growing population of over 1 million people. In Jakarta in 2003, studies showed that 2% of gays men were found to be HIV positive; in 2007, 8%; and in 2011, 17%. A YKS today, an average of 27% of young men tested are HIV positive.
What is the reason for this growing statistic? Social media offer a new platform for young people to meet and sex happens at a young age. Unfortunately, it is not coupled with adequate sex education in local schools, and not at an age early, by teachers who are able and willing to talk about sex openly.
One of the most dynamic groups in Indonesia are housewives infected by their husbands who are sex workers visited or have sex with other men. In Bali, one in 200 pregnant women were infected by their husbands.
Antonio give a consultation to a patient at Ruang Carlo Community Center
Steve believes the focus should be on men. "The focus is often on women, but it really is the man who is the problem There is only one sex industry if there is a market for the sex. If men do not buy, there would be no women selling Get the men who buy sex using condoms is a challenge and we have to keep working on it;. the best we see is 40-50% condom use. "
Antonio's case manager Carlo Ruang Community Centre and is HIV positive. He is passionate about helping others who are going through what he has. "My life has become more positive, healthy living, and get the support of family and friends. Of course I want to be a model for other friends so they do not feel despair and can continue to enjoy their lives by giving and sharing information about the ups and downs of life with HIV and supporting each other. "
the only way to break the infection process is for people with high-risk behavior to get tested." We will only be able to break this chain of infection if people know their status, "recalls Steve. Recently, team YKS been providing free HIV screening in some schools in Jakarta at high risk, resulting in a much higher number of people agreeing be tested
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How to help
YKS would provide more mobile tests, and welcome your donations to help them . continue to run their operations
The donations can be made to:
Yayasan Kasih Suwitno
Panin Bank
148 5 017678
Harco Mangga Dua Blok I no. 5 AB
Swift code PINBIDJA