BEKASI CITY – Bekasi City is reported to rank second as the area with the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in West Java Province, just below Bandung City. According to data, the cumulative total of HIV/AIDS cases in Bekasi City has reached approximately 3,600 cases.

In response to this, a member of Commission IV of the Bekasi City Regional House of Representatives stated that handling and prevention efforts are continuously being carried out, one of which is through examinations and public outreach.

“Out of the 3,200 examinations that have been conducted, the actual number of AIDS cases is not that high. Therefore, the Health Agency has budgeted IDR 100 million this year for prevention efforts,” they said.

In addition, a budget of IDR 800 million has also been allocated for handling HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. It was noted that this budget could still be increased if it is deemed insufficient.

“We are a metropolitan area. Nightlife, free sex, and various other risk factors can trigger an increase in cases. Therefore, we encourage the Health Agency to continue conducting counseling and outreach,” they added.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bekasi City Health Agency explained that the Health Agency actively conducts early detection on at-risk individuals, including people around HIV patients.

“Many detection tests are indeed carried out, which is why we are recorded as the second highest area in terms of examinations. But for new cases, we are actually ranked sixth in West Java,” they stated.

They also emphasized that compared to the population of Bekasi City, which reaches 2.5 million people, the percentage of HIV/AIDS cases is still relatively small and under control.

“Currently, there are about 322 active cases recorded. We continue to carry out outreach, prevention, and most importantly, ensure that patients regularly take medication to avoid transmitting it to others,” they explained.

They also assured that all health services in Bekasi City, both hospitals and community health centers, provide equal services to HIV/AIDS patients.

“They still receive services in accordance with applicable health protocols, without discrimination,” they concluded.

Bekasi City

Bekasi City is a major industrial and residential hub located in West Java, Indonesia, just east of Jakarta. Historically, it was part of the ancient Tarumanagara Kingdom, with evidence of its past found in inscriptions like the Tugu inscription. Today, it is one of the most populous and rapidly developing cities in the Jakarta metropolitan area.

West Java Province

West Java is an Indonesian province on the island of Java, historically home to the powerful Sunda Kingdom and later the Sultanate of Banten. It is a region of immense cultural significance, known for its distinct Sundanese language, traditional arts like angklung music, and the sprawling metropolis of Bandung. The area also features major natural attractions, including the active volcano Mount Tangkuban Perahu and numerous tea plantations.

Bandung City

Bandung is the capital of West Java, Indonesia, founded by the Dutch in the early 19th century and developed into a planned city and a popular retreat for colonials due to its cooler highland climate. It is historically significant as the host of the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference, a pivotal meeting for the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War. Today, the city is a major cultural and economic hub, renowned for its Art Deco colonial architecture, universities, and creative industries.