PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government (Pemkot) is strengthening HIV/AIDS prevention efforts through collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to expand prevention, early detection, assistance, and support services for People Living with HIV (ODHIV) in Bandung City.

This step emphasizes the role of the OMS as the frontline in detecting new cases, assisting PLHIV, and bridging access to health and social services.

The Bandung City Government is also encouraging the implementation of social contracting so that the involvement of civil society organizations can be more formal and structured in HIV prevention programs.

"Lack of transparency often occurs due to stigma. I'm sure some still consider HIV/AIDS a cursed disease. This stigma must end. Every civilizational problem must be addressed with a civilizational solution, namely through science and collective awareness," said Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan at the commemoration of World AIDS Day 2025.

Farhan emphasized that the Bandung City Government's targets include zero deaths due to AIDS, zero stigma against PLHIV, and zero new HIV cases through cross-sector collaboration.

A number of 2025 forums between CSOs, OBKs, and regional apparatuses resulted in proposals for 2026 RKPD priorities, including early detection of key populations, strengthening AIDS-Caring Citizens (WPA), and HIV education for the community.

At the implementation level, the social contract scheme has been implemented through collaboration between the PKBI of Bandung City, the Public Welfare Section of the Bandung City Regional Secretariat, and the Population and Family Planning Control Service (DPPKB).

Other collaborations also involve Grapiks Bandung City with the National Unity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol), Female with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Rumah Cemara with the Youth and Sports Agency, and support from Baznas Bandung City to expand service reach.

The program demonstrates that combating HIV/AIDS requires the integrated involvement of government, communities, the business world, and other stakeholders.

The Director of the PKBI (Indonesian Community Empowerment Association) for Bandung City, Nunuk Kusniati, stated that CSOs play a crucial role in reaching groups with limited access to services, providing education, and assisting people living with HIV (PLHIV) in obtaining sustainable health and social services.

He believes that partnerships with local governments are key to the program's sustainability so that its impact on the community is broader.

"We appreciate the Bandung City Government's commitment to providing space for CSOs and communities to participate in the planning and implementation of HIV/AIDS response programs. This kind of collaboration is crucial because HIV/AIDS response cannot be handled by one party alone," said Nunuk.

The Bandung City Government hopes that this strengthened collaboration will accelerate the achievement of HIV/AIDS control targets while creating an inclusive, healthy environment free from stigma and discrimination.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/bhf)