PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government is strengthening its HIV/AIDS prevention efforts through voluntary screening outreach and community empowerment at the regional level.

This step was taken to increase public awareness, obtain a more accurate picture of the spread of HIV, and reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV).

The Mayor of Bandung and Chair of the Bandung City AIDS Commission (KPA), Muhammad Farhan, said that screening is an important step in determining the spread of HIV in Bandung City.

He conveyed this in a meeting with sub-district heads and village heads throughout Bandung City regarding the menu for the HIV/AIDS Development Planning Conference (Musrenbang) at the Horison Ultima Hotel, Monday (12/10/2026).

Farhan revealed that, to date, the measurement of HIV cases in Bandung City is not entirely precise. This situation necessitates the government's continued encouragement of voluntary screening among the public.

"The numbers are never really clear. We need to measure the true extent of the spread. That's why we need to conduct screening outreach," said Farhan.

He stated that HIV screening should not be coercive and should be voluntary. Therefore, outreach is key to increasing public understanding and raising awareness of the importance of knowing your HIV status.

The Bandung City Government will collaborate with various health institutions to expand outreach and encourage the gradual implementation of screening through a regional approach.

According to Farhan, HIV transmission can occur through unsafe sexual intercourse, sharing needles for drug use, and mother-to-child transmission. However, mother-to-child transmission can be prevented through appropriate health interventions.

He also reminded that the challenge of dealing with HIV is not only related to transmission, but also the continued presence of new cases and deaths due to AIDS.

Meanwhile, the government is targeting no new HIV infections, no deaths from AIDS, and no stigma and discrimination.

"The iceberg phenomenon definitely exists. Our measurements aren't precise yet. That's why we're conducting outreach to encourage people to voluntarily undergo screening," he said.

According to him, HIV/AIDS response efforts also require sustainable funding. Amid declining international donor support for HIV programs in various countries, including Indonesia, the government needs to seek alternative funding through other philanthropic sources.

"The most important thing now is that we conduct outreach. It can't just be a one-time event, it must be repeated continuously. Outreach must never stop," he said.

Meanwhile, the Assistant for Government and Public Welfare of Bandung City and Deputy Chair of the KPA of Bandung City, Asep Cucu Cahyadi, said that handling HIV/AIDS is a cross-sectoral responsibility that requires synergy between the government, the community, and various stakeholders.

He explained that the activity was held to align perceptions and strengthen a shared commitment so that the community empowerment program through the AIDS Caring Citizens (WPA) could be accommodated through the Musrenbang mechanism.

"Community participation through the WPA will not run optimally without systematic and sustainable financial support," Asep said in his report.

According to him, the WPA that has been formed at the sub-district and village levels has an important role in increasing public knowledge, expanding education, and strengthening HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in their respective environments.

Therefore, the government encourages sub-districts to utilize the HIV/AIDS activity menu in the Musrenbang as an instrument to facilitate the WPA program.

In this way, community empowerment activities can be planned in a more targeted manner and obtain financial support in accordance with applicable mechanisms.

The meeting was attended by 230 participants consisting of regional apparatus elements, sub-district heads and village heads throughout Bandung City, as well as KPA community organizers from all sub-districts.

Several regional agencies were involved, including the Health Department, the Social Services Department, the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), and other relevant agencies. (Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)