The training for HIV/AIDS peer educators was attended by 26 people consisting of company representatives, HIV cadres, and PLHIV companions in East Kutai Regency.
Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Regional AIDS Commission (KPAD) of East Kutai Regency conducted training for HIV/AIDS peer educators in all companies throughout East Kutai for three days on July 4-6, 2023, at Wisma Rayah KPC Swarga Bara, North Sangatta.
Participants consisted of 26 people who were company representatives, HIV cadres or Healthy East Kalimantan Community Institutions (LMKS), and companions for PLHIV in East Kutai. The objective of this training is to increase participants’ knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention and control with the aim of educating the surrounding community.
In his opening remarks, Vice Regent Kasmidi Bulang as Chair of the East Kutai KPAD said that the greatest challenge for HIV/AIDS programs around the world is accomplishing the global commitment to eliminate AIDS by 2030. According to him, eliminating AIDS requires massive efforts, such as outreach and HIV testing through Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) and Mobile VCT to key population locations, communities, companies, government agencies, as well as the National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri).
“For this reason, the Regional Government through the Health Department has prepared logistics in the form of reagents, medical equipment, and special service facilities for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections. In East Kutai, there are already 21 Health Centers (Puskesmas) in 18 districts. It only remains to prepare human resources are being prepared through these trainings,” said Kasmidi.
Peer educator training is essential as they play a role as executors of the Decree of the Minister of Manpower No. 68 of 2024 on the HIV-AIDS Prevention and Control Program (P2HIV/AIDS) in the workplace. Kasmidi voiced “One of the important tasks of a peer educator is to disseminate information about HIV/AIDS to all company employees and encourage their co-workers to behave healthily to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS.”
Further, Kasmidi added, “Thankfully, the achievement of minimum service standards for HIV case finding in East Kutai is considered the highest in East Kalimantan Province, namely 152%, followed by Balikpapan 105%, North Penajam Paser 102%, Bontang 101%, and Kutai Kartanegara 87%.”
For that, he gave his appreciation to the companies in East Kutai and the volunteers who worked on the VCT Team. With good cooperation from all related parties, Kasmidi is optimistic that the AIDS elimination target in 2030 can be achieved.
