Jayapura – Jayapura City Health Office (Dinkes) continues to strengthen efforts to prevent and combat HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TBC) through collaboration with media people. This step was realized by holding socialization for journalists to increase the capacity of media information in delivering health education to the community.
Acting (Plt) Head of the Jayapura City Health Office, Juliana Napitupulu, said that mass media has a strategic role in building public awareness through the delivery of accurate, balanced, and educational information. Therefore, the synergy between the government and journalists is considered important to equalize perceptions in efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS and TB through constructive reporting.
“The media has a very important role in providing the right information to the public. Through this collaboration, we hope that journalists can become strategic partners in disseminating education about the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis,” said Juliana in a socialization activity that took place in Jayapura, Friday.
According to him, the spread of HIV/AIDS and TB in Jayapura City until now is still a serious challenge that requires joint attention. In addition to through health services, prevention efforts must also be strengthened through increasing public understanding of risk factors, early detection, and the importance of sustainable treatment.
Data from the Jayapura City Health Office shows that until the first trimester of 2026, the cumulative number of HIV/AIDS cases in Jayapura City reaches 11,235 cases. That number increased compared to the end of 2025 which was recorded as many as 10,946 cases. This condition places Jayapura City as the area with the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in Papua Province.
The Ministry of Health assesses that the increase in cases is a reminder that prevention and education efforts must continue to be improved by involving various parties, including mass media, educational institutions, community leaders, religious figures, and community organizations.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Section of the Jayapura City Health Department, Yusnita Pabeno, explained that HIV/AIDS and TB are two diseases that are closely related. HIV infection that attacks the immune system can increase a person’s risk of getting TB, while TB infection in HIV patients has the potential to accelerate the decline of health conditions.
“HIV/AIDS and TB bacteria are a combination of infections that aggravate the decline of the human immune system. This condition can increase the risk of pain to death if not handled properly,” explained Yusnita.
He added that early detection, adherence to treatment, as well as family and environmental support are important factors in suppressing the spread of the two diseases. Therefore, the public is urged not to hesitate to do a health check-up if they have risk factors or experience symptoms that lead to HIV/AIDS or TB.
Through these socialization activities, the Jayapura City Health Office hopes that the media can be the main partner in spreading true information and reducing stigma against people with HIV/AIDS and TB. With a good understanding, the public is expected to be more aware of the importance of prevention, periodic health checks, and proper treatment to reduce the spread of infectious diseases in Jayapura City.
Collaboration between the government, health workers, media, and the community is believed to be the key to realizing a healthier environment as well as accelerating efforts to control HIV/AIDS and TB in Jayapura City.
