Indonesia plans to include HIV treatment in universal health care coverage

During a meeting with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe on Tuesday, Indonesia Minister of Health Nafsiah Mboi "pledged to scale up HIV testing and treatment programs" with a "focus on 141 districts where key affected populations are the highest," a UNAIDS feature story reports. "Indonesia also plans to become one of several countries in the region to offer universal health care by 2014," with HIV treatment to be covered, according to the health ministry, UNAIDS notes. Sidibe said, "Indonesia is a key partner in the drive to end the AIDS epidemic. ... Universal health coverage is a game changer for Indonesia. I am delighted to know that HIV treatment will be included in this national program. This sets the stage for sustainable funding of HIV programs," the article states. "The Ministry of Health estimates that more than 600,000 people are living with HIV and that there are more than 76,000 new HIV infections each year," according to UNAIDS, which adds, "Currently HIV treatment coverage is at less than 20 percent" (10/23).