Australian support for HIV services in Indonesia

Australian support for HIV services in Indonesia is entering an important new phase with the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia and the Governor of Jakarta today signing a Memorandum of Understanding to expand services for those at risk of contracting HIV.

The agreement allows for more critical HIV prevention and treatment services to be provided through 30 community health centres across Jakarta. This includes two new methadone programs, bringing the overall number in Jakarta to 11.

The expansion of assistance also reaches well beyond Jakarta. In the near future, new agreements in Banten, Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java will see Australian-supported services being provided through a total of about 100 community health centres across Java and Bali.

Today’s signing builds on 12 years of cooperation between Australia and Indonesia on HIV services and continues a strong partnership with the Jakarta provincial government.

Speaking at the event, the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, said “Australia is proud to be assisting Indonesia in its commitment to combat the spread of HIV and support those already living with the virus.”

“This represents another step forward for HIV prevention and treatment in Indonesia.”

The agreement allows for increased services for people living with HIV/AIDS including health education; referrals to voluntary HIV counselling and testing services; access to clean needles and syringes; drug treatment including methadone programs; basic health care; and educational, physical and counselling preparation for anti-retroviral treatment.

Australia has committed up to A$100 million to the Australia Indonesia Partnership for HIV (2008-2015) to combat the spread of HIV and improve quality of life for those living with the virus.

Australian supported efforts are focused on injecting drug users, prison inmates, sex workers and their clients, and the general community in Papua and West Papua, where the rate of infection among adults risks becoming the highest in Asia.

Media inquiries:
Natasha Simpson 08111872365 / Mia Salim 08121070237 (AusAID Public Affairs)