Jayapura, Jubi – The Jayapura City Health Department in Papua held an awareness and capacity-building program on the prevention and control of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS for journalists and media workers at a hotel in Abepura District, Jayapura City, Papua, on Friday.

Acting Head of the Jayapura City Health Department, Juliana Napitupulu, said the program aimed to improve understanding, build a shared perspective, and strengthen the capacity of online and print media journalists to actively participate in HIV and tuberculosis prevention and control efforts in Jayapura through responsible reporting.

“We all recognize that HIV/AIDS remains a public health issue that continues to draw global attention, including in Indonesia, Papua, and Jayapura City,” Napitupulu said.

She explained that the program was intended to equip journalists with accurate medical information about HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, while also helping to reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV) and tuberculosis patients through inclusive, empathetic, and supportive reporting.

The initiative also seeks to encourage readers to undergo early screening through HIV and TB testing and to seek appropriate medical treatment.

According to Napitupulu, the broad and efficient reach of the media can help strengthen public health campaigns, making them more widespread, engaging, and relevant to all segments of society.

“Currently, Jayapura City remains one of the areas with a relatively high number of HIV/AIDS cases. This situation is closely linked to the high mobility of residents and the constant flow of people entering and leaving the city,” she said.

She added that the government has set a target to eliminate several infectious diseases by 2030, including tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. However, achieving these goals remains a significant challenge.

In accelerating HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis prevention and control efforts, the Jayapura City Government, through the Health Department, cannot work alone.

“This issue is not solely the responsibility of the Health Department; it is a shared responsibility for all of us,” she said.

Napitupulu stressed that collaboration and support from all sectors are essential, including the strategic role of mass media as a government partner in delivering accurate, reliable, and balanced health information to the public.

She noted that the media plays a crucial role in raising public awareness, correcting misinformation, and helping reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and those affected by tuberculosis.

Through educational, fact-based reporting, the media can serve as a bridge between the government, healthcare workers, and communities in promoting awareness about prevention, early detection, treatment, and support for people affected by HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

“Therefore, I hope this meeting will provide an opportunity for us to exchange ideas, share experiences, and discuss various issues encountered in the field,” she said.

She expressed hope that the program would provide media professionals with accurate and comprehensive information about HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, enabling them to produce high-quality reporting and support efforts to eliminate tuberculosis and control HIV/AIDS in Jayapura.

Meanwhile, Yusnita Pabeno, Head of the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Section at the Jayapura City Health Department, said media involvement is essential in disseminating accurate and timely information on tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

“We need to build a shared understanding and minimize stigma and discrimination in society through reporting that not only accurately portrays the current situation but also highlights hope, struggles, successes, and challenges that still require cooperation from all stakeholders,” Pabeno said.

She reported that the cumulative number of HIV/AIDS cases in Papua Province reached 25,678 cases in 2025, with Jayapura City ranking first at 10,946 cases.

During the first trimester of 2026, the cumulative number of HIV/AIDS cases in Jayapura City increased to 11,235 cases.

For tuberculosis, the Jayapura City Health Department recorded 3,007 cases in 2025, with 932 new cases reported between January and May 2026.

“To curb the spread of these diseases, strategic measures are needed to ensure the continuity of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis prevention and control efforts in Jayapura City,” she said.

According to Pabeno, one of the key strategies is to provide accurate information consistently and continuously.

“One of the most effective platforms for disseminating accurate and ongoing information is the mass media, both electronic and print media,” she said. (*)