World AIDS Day Underscores Need for Routine Care and Addressing Viral Load
World HIV/AIDS Day serves as a crucial reminder about the ongoing efforts to combat the virus. Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono highlighted the importance of routine checks for individuals living with HIV (PLHIV) to detect potentially fatal accompanying diseases like tuberculosis (TB).
TB: A Deadly Threat for Those Living with HIV
“TB is one of the most prevalent secondary illnesses affecting HIV patients and a leading cause of death among them,” Harbuwono stated. He emphasized the vulnerability of PLHIV to TB due to a weakened immune system, explaining that HIV allows TB bacteria, typically dormant in the body, to become active.
Harbuwono stressed the need for regular TB screenings for PLHIV to ensure swift diagnosis and treatment.
“Take the Rights Path” Urges Equal Access to Healthcare
The World AIDS Day theme, “Take the Rights Path” or “Equal Rights for All, Together We Can,” underscores the importance of accessible healthcare for key populations. It urges the government to prioritize screening and supportive care for vulnerable groups.
Viral Load Suppression: A Critical Measure of Treatment Success
Harbuwono also highlighted the need to address the low viral load suppression rate among PLHIV. “Even though people are treated, regular checks for viral load are still low,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of regular viral load tests to monitor the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and ensure the virus is effectively suppressed.
Progress Towards the Three Zero HIV/AIDS Target
According to Director of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, Ina Agustina Isturini, data from the HIV AIDS Information System (SIHA) revealed that as of September 2024, 71 percent of PLHIV are aware of their status, 64 percent are undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART), and only 48 percent of those on ART have undergone viral load testing to confirm viral suppression.
These figures highlight the need to intensify efforts to achieve the “Three Zero HIV/AIDS” target by 2030, which aims for:
- 95 percent of PLHIV diagnosed
- 95 percent of PLHIV receiving treatment
- 95 percent of PLHIV with suppressed viral loads
Achieving the Three Zero HIV/AIDS target is crucial to eliminate new HIV infections, reduce AIDS-related deaths, and end discrimination against PLHIV.
What role does routine care play in managing the health of individuals living with HIV, and how is it connected to addressing tuberculosis risks?
## World AIDS Day: Focusing on Rights and Routine Care
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re focusing on World AIDS Day which, as we know, is just around the corner on December 1st. Joining us to discuss the significance of the day and some key issues facing the fight against HIV/AIDS is [Guest Name and Title]. Welcome to the show!
**Guest:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** This year’s WHOU theme is “Take the rights path: My health, my right!”. Can you tell us a bit about why focusing on human rights is so vital in the context of HIV/AIDS?
**Guest:** Absolutely. World AIDS Day is not just about commemorating progress, it’s about urging action. The WHO’s theme this year underscores a crucial point: Ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 depends on ensuring everyone’s right to healthcare, regardless of who they are or where they live. [[1](https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/events/item/2024/12/01/default-calendar/world-aids-day-2024.-take-the-rights-path–my-health–my-right!)]
Discrimination and stigma often prevent individuals from seeking testing, treatment, and preventative care. When people are denied their rights, they are denied their health.
**Interviewer:** That’s a powerful message. Now, we’ve also seen some recent reports highlighting the importance of routine care for those living with HIV, particularly in addressing the risk of tuberculosis. Can you elaborate on that?
**Guest:** You’re right. Tuberculosis is a serious concern for people living with HIV because it exploits a weakened immune system. As Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono recently stated, TB can be fatal for those living with HIV. [[2](Add URL if available)]Regular check-ups and viral load monitoring are essential to detect TB early and ensure timely treatment.
**Interviewer:** Excellent point. For our viewers who want to get involved in World AIDS Day, what steps can they take to make a difference?
**Guest:** There are many ways to participate! You can learn more about HIV/AIDS, volunteer with local organizations, donate to support research and treatment, or simply use your voice to raise awareness and fight stigma. Every action, big or small, can help us move closer to a world free of AIDS.
