Ministry of Social Affairs Gives Attention to Scavengers with HIV in Gowa District

GOWA (20 June 2021) - The Ministry of Social Affairs through the Pangurangi Workshop in Takalar conducted a case response to the need for Persons Needing Social Welfare Services (PPKS), People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (ODHIV) who are a married couple with the initials "N" and "S". N works as a scavenger in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi.

This alarming economic situation must also be added to the birth of a baby who cannot be given breast milk by "S" because it has the potential to transmit HIV to his baby. This report was submitted via the Center’s contact center by Mrs. Ria, the manager of the infectious disease control program, Somba Opu Health Center, and Mrs. Lili, the TB-HIV companion cadre of Gowa Regency.

According to the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Tri Rismaharini that all Social Rehabilitation Centers belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs must immediately respond to cases or social problems found in the community, therefore Social Counselors led by the Head of Pangurangi Takalar, Pengalamen Surbakti immediately went down to conduct an assessment related to the conditions and needs of the PPKS.

Qadriansyah, Social Counselor for the Pangurangi Takalar revealed that based on the results of the assessment, the PPKS with the initials "N" has been working as a scavenger for the last 2 years to support his family which consists of his wife and 2 children and 1 baby. “N” only found out about his status after his wife “S” did a pre-delivery examination on June 14, 2021, and the result was HIV positive. “N” as well as his two children finally took the HIV test and only “N” tested positive. Both “N” and “S” have also undergone ARV therapy to suppress the HIV in the body to maintain their health condition.

“After knowing his status, “S” could not breastfeed her baby for fear of transmitting the HIV in her body. As we know, HIV is also found in the breast milk of the sufferer. With this condition, "S" and "N" are confused about fulfilling the nutritional needs of their babies, where economically they are also very short of because they only work as scavengers. "N" and his family live in a hut measuring 2X3 meters which is located on the outskirts of the Je'neberang River," explained Qadri.

“N” had worked as a worker on several projects as a welder, but 2 years ago he stopped because the project he was working on had been completed and never received a call again. From there, "N" began to work as a scavenger to meet the needs of his family.

The assessment was continued to explore the needs of “N”. It is known that with his current condition, “N” and his family desperately need to fulfill their daily basic needs as well as supplies and milk for their baby.

The results of the assessment were immediately followed up with the provision of basic ingredients and additional nutrients in the form of 10 (ten) kilograms of rice, 4 (four) liters of cooking oil, 2 (two) kilograms of wheat flour, 3 (three) liters of sugar, 1 (one) pack of sweet soy sauce, 1 (one) bottle of chili sauce, 6 (six) boxes of milk, 30 (thirty) eggs, ready-to-eat food in the form of 4 (four) cans of sardines, 2 (two) cans of corned beef, 1 (one) box of instant noodles, personal hygiene needs in the form of 4 (four) bath soaps, 1 (one) shampoo and baby needs in the form of 1 (one) pack of diapers and 4 (four) boxes of baby milk.