Stronger Government–CSO Collaboration Urged to Sustain HIV/AIDS Prevention

KBRN, Yogyakarta: Amid growing concerns over the sustainability of HIV/AIDS programs in Indonesia, a strategic dialogue was recently held in Yogyakarta to address the future of prevention efforts. 

Organized by the Vesta Indonesia Foundation, the forum brought together local government agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), and media representatives to explore self-managed social programs as a pathway to protect vulnerable groups.

Held at Ingkung Grobog in Muja Muju Village, Umbulharjo Subdistrict, the discussion opened with remarks from Muhammad Zidny Kafa, a technical officer, who highlighted the uncertain future of international funding for HIV/AIDS initiatives in the region.

“Foreign grants are increasingly unstable. We’ve already seen USAID withdraw its support, and now CSOs working on HIV/AIDS are facing similar challenges,” Zidny said in a press release.

He emphasized that the Indonesian government, under Article 28H and Article 34(3) of the 1945 Constitution, is constitutionally obligated to provide healthcare for all citizens, making domestic support for HIV/AIDS programs more critical than ever.

According to data from the Yogyakarta Health Agency, the cumulative number of HIV/AIDS cases in the province reached 8,627 by December 2024, with 2,391 progressing to the AIDS phase. An additional 241 cases were reported in the first quarter of 2025, primarily among individuals aged 20–39.

“Most new cases are found in people of productive age,” Zidny noted, underscoring the urgency of targeted outreach and support.

CSOs have played a vital role in HIV/AIDS prevention: conducting outreach, identifying cases, and supporting people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). With foreign donor support waning, stakeholders are advocating for a self-management mechanism funded by regional or national budgets to ensure program continuity.

“Government–CSO cooperation is essential to maintain and improve service quality,” Zidny added.

Setyarini Hestu Lestari of ADINKES DIY echoed this sentiment, stating that self-management enables government agencies to collaborate effectively with CSOs. “These organizations were instrumental during my time at the Health Agency, especially in outreach and case-finding,” she said.

Laurensia Ana from the Victory Plus Foundation also voiced concern over the potential withdrawal of foreign donors. “We’re still supported by international donors, but recent developments suggest that may soon end. Self-management is the most viable alternative,” she explained.

For Vesta Indonesia Foundation Chairman Joko Hadi Purnomo, collaboration is not only strategic but practical. 

“We often conduct testing late into the night, and basic needs like food and drinks are sometimes overlooked. Partnering with local administration agencies helps us continue our work when donor support fades,” he said.

The forum also reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being. The strategy centers on the 95–95–95 target: ensuring 95 percent of PLHIV know their status, 95 percent receive antiretroviral treatment, and 95 percent of those treated achieve viral suppression.

Participants concluded that a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach is essential for effective HIV/AIDS prevention in Yogyakarta. The partnership between government and CSOs is seen as a “win-win solution” that fosters inclusive governance and sustainable health outcomes.

“Collaboration between government agencies and CSOs is not optional. It’s a necessity if we’re serious about ending HIV/AIDS by 2030,” Zidny concluded. ***