The West Java administration estimates there are currently more than 5,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in the province, up from 3,598 last year.
This number is the second highest after Papua.
Head of the West Java bureau of social services Riyadi said HIV/AIDS in West Java were most commonly spread through sexual activity.
“Most infections are caused by sexual activity, and following that, through drug injection,” Riyadi said Tuesday.
Riyadi said in order to reduce the number of HIV/AIDS cases, his office would continue to coordinate with health agencies in cities and districts throughout West Java.
That coordination includes counseling, health education, advising on the dangers of casual sex and drugs and providing antiretroviral drugs that are used by people living with HIV/AIDS to stop the reproduction of the virus in the body.
“We are trying to make antiretroviral drugs available not only in hospitals, but also in community health centers, particularly in areas prone to HIV transmission, so it can be easily obtained,” Riyadi said.
He said the West Java administration had a Rp 160 million (US$17,760) budget for the program, while the central government provided Rp 2 billion for the antiretroviral drugs.
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