Synergy Required to Assist ADHA

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

A child with HIV/AIDS plays with an Ultraman Taro mask on Thursday (18/7/2019) at the Lentera Shelter in Solo, Central Java.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Medical treatment for children with HIV/AIDS (ADHA) must be accompanied with psychosocial support and a supportive environment. Cooperation between the central and local governments alongside the public is required to support optimal development of ADHA.

Health Minister Nila Moeloek said the government strived to improve ADHA access to medical services. Pediatric antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, comprising syrup and powder, is available. Previously, ADHA were given ARV pills with dosages adjusted to their weight.

ARV is used in therapy to suppress the growth of the human immunodeficiency virus. The drug can work optimally if consumed daily at the right dosage. Persons diagnosed with HIV, including children, must take ARV drugs for life.

“Access to the medicine has improved,” said Nila last week.

Health Ministry data shows that the total number of reported HIV infections as of June 2018 was 301,959 cases. Of this figure, 2,881 are ADHA.

In 2019, the ministry earmarked Rp 2.5 trillion (US$179.28 million) for HIV/AIDS treatment. Of this amount, around Rp 1.1 trillion is for procuring medicine.

The ministry also strives to expand healthcare access and facilities for HIV/AIDS treatment. Some 7,093 community health centers (Puskesmas) currently offering HIV testing will be boosted with treatment services. As of 2018, only 993 Puskesmas and hospitals provided ARV treatment services nationwide.

Protection

All-Humanitarian Action Association (Kuldesak) chairman Hages Budiman said that government support in providing health services and medicines for people with HIV/AIDS (ODHA) had improved. There are no longer complaints over a lack in drug stock and difficulty in accessing health check-up services. However, obstacles persist in drug procurement in several regions.

Separately, social activist Baby Jim Aditya, known for her outspoken support for people with HIV/AIDS and recovering drug addicts, said ADHA should receive comprehensive treatment. “They have complex needs, comprising not only medicine but also nutritional intake, health services, education, psychosocial support and proper guidance and nurturing,” she said on Monday (22/7/2019).

Regional governments’ active role is also necessary in treating ADHA. The government’s commitment and support in allocating a budget for ADHA determines the success in treating ADHA.

Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini, for instance, issued Surabaya Mayoral Regulation No. 29/2015 on HIV/AIDS mitigation. It stipulates that ODHA are given several special treatments to improve their quality of life. Productive-age ODHA are recruited as casual workers and given proper living spaces. Apart from providing Rp 1 million in monthly aid, ADHA are given access to education and capacity building at the Kalijudan Children’s Village.

In Papua, a lack of a local budget has affected the ODHA treatment campaign. Papua Health Agency’s AIDS, TBC and Malaria section head Beri Wopari said the agency only had Rp 190 million for the HIV/AIDS campaign and distribution off ARV drugs to all Papuans this year. This is not enough to serve the province’s 40,805 ODHA.

Health services for ADHA was among the highlighted issues in the International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Science in Mexico City, Mexico, on Sunday (21/7) evening. Kompas reporter Adhitya Ramadhan reported from Mexico City that, of the target of providing 1.6 million children to access to ARV therapy in 2018, only 940,000 children under 14 years old were reached. More intensive efforts are required to expand services for ADHA.

(TAN/RWN/NSA/ETA/FLO/COK/RTG)