State Vows to Protect HIV-positive Children

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

Children living with HIV/AIDS watch cartoons from a doorway at the House of Love on 16 July 2019 in Nainggolan district, Samosir regency, North Sumatra. The Batak Protestant Church has provided the shelter to provide care for children living with HIV/AIDS, who face discrimination at school, in the community and even from relatives.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The fact that there is discrimination against children with HIV/AIDS shows that some people still have no proper understanding of the condition. An information campaign is needed to ensure the affected children have their rights ensured without discrimination.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla assured reporters on Tuesday (23/7/2019) that there was no discrimination against these children through government policies. "People with HIV/AIDS are not being discriminated against. They have their social rights protected by the government, especially the children," Kalla said at the Vice President\'s Office in Jakarta.

The social rights, among other things, relate to the provision of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), health services for children with HIV and equal access to education. Nevertheless, Kalla admitted that behavior in society needed to be improved. A case in point is a child that was rejected at school by the parents of other students, as reported in the Kompas headline on Monday and Tuesday, which shows a lack of public understanding about HIV/AIDS.

"That\'s a community perception that needs to be corrected. [The disease] is not contracted through touching. Unless there is sex, it will be okay," said Kalla.

For this reason, Kalla pointed out, recalling his time serving as the coordinating minister for public welfare from 2001 to 2004, he would often go to Papua and explain that interaction with HIV-infected adults or children posed no danger.

Of some 76 million children in Indonesia, 2,881 have been recorded as HIV-positive. They don\'t only need medicine, but also assistance.

Kalla expressed his general hope that all Indonesian children would enjoy a good education and equal opportunities. Furthermore, all children were also entitled to a good life. Therefore, parental behavior and education were important.

National Children\'s Day

At the peak of the 2019 National Children\'s Day (HAN) commemoration centered on the Karebosi Field in Makassar, South Sulawesi, yesterday, Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Susana Yembise also reminded all parties to provide special protection for children and fulfill their needs and rights without discrimination. Provincial and regency/city administrations were also asked to actively participate in making their regions child-friendly.

Regarding HIV-positive children, Yohana underlined the state\'s obligation to ensure their rights without discrimination. "The state guarantees that," she said.

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

Children living with HIV/AIDS watch cartoons on a laptop at the House of Love on 16 July 2019 in Nainggolan district, Samosir regency, North Sumatra. The Batak Protestant Church has provided the shelter to provide care for children living with HIV/AIDS, who face discrimination at school, in the community and even from relatives.

Children’s expert Seto Mulyadi noted the important roles and responsibilities of all elements of society in looking after children in their environment. As for HIV-infected children, he expressed hope that all people would care.

"They are victims who must get attention. Parents, do not be shy about coordinating with local health offices; children with HIV/AIDS should not be excluded," he said.

University of Indonesia Center for the Study and Advocacy of Child Protection and Life Quality (Puskapa) director Santi Kusumaningrum said protecting the rights of HIV-positive children also required a strengthening of families’ or caregivers’ capacity. This could be achieved with increased parenting skills and government assistance to meet the children’s material and psychosocial needs.

"With the National AIDS Commission dissolved, continued coordination among ministries and institutions must be ensured," she said.

Hope for children

Meanwhile, a number of children with HIV/AIDS in Solo, Central Java, expressed their hope to continue their study and realize their dreams.

"I aspire to become a teacher," said 11-years old G., a girl with HIV/AIDS who lives at a shelter for HIV-infected children managed by the Lentera Foundation in Solo. The fifth-grader appeared determined to study hard and get as far as possible in life.

Another of the HIV-positive children at the shelter wants to become a pediatrician. "I can take care of sick children," said A, 13, who is in junior high school and likes natural sciences.

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, while visiting the Lentera shelter, said he was ready to help meet the children’s needs, both in accessing health services and education. "We are ready to help," he said.

(INA/REN/TAN/RWN)