Fadli, Batam – Batam city in Riau Islands has seen a decrease in numbers of HIV/AIDS cases in the past few years, but same-sex partners still make up the majority of cases.
The city Health Agency reported that a total of 446 people contracted HIV in 2022; 333 of them are men. Since recording began in 1992, a total of 8,800 cases have been reported in the city.
Imelda Sari, the agency's head for communicable diseases prevention and control, said that gay men and men who have sex with men remained most at risk of contracting HIV, especially those between ages 25 and 49.
She said the city gathered data from non-government organizations and HIV/AIDS activists who provided advocacies in the city.
"We are calling for discipline in condom usage, and most importantly: be faithful," Imelda said.
Batam city recorded a total of 692 cases in 2019, 538 cases in 2020 and 484 cases in 2021. Batam island is an industrial hub, which includes a free-trade zone, only a short ferry trip from Singapore.
In September, the government pledged US$15.5 million to the global effort to eradicate tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS under the auspices of the Global Fund.
The government said that money contributed to the effort came from the state budget as well as funding by the private sector. The move was the first for Indonesia to become a contributor to the initiative.
The Global Fund is a worldwide movement aimed at defeating tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS. The organization raises and invests $4 billion a year to fight the deadliest infectious diseases and strengthen health systems in more than 100 countries.
This year, the United States-hosted pledging conference for the Global Fund to Fight tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS has raised more than $14.25 billion so far for the partnership's work over the next three years. (dre)