Batam Accelerates HIV Detection Through Mobile Screening
The Batam City Health Office is accelerating early HIV detection through mobile screening services at various locations targeting at-risk groups. The proactive strategy aims to achieve a screening target of 16,839 people throughout 2026.
Head of the Batam City Health Office, Didi Kusmarjadi, stated that case finding no longer relies solely on individuals visiting health facilities. Health workers are also actively conducting field examinations and screening prior to surgical procedures.
“Case finding does not only come from people who come to health facilities for check-ups. We also conduct screening before medical procedures as well as mobile screening services at locations targeted by health workers,” he said on Monday (13/7).
According to him, the proactive approach is crucial because many at-risk groups still lack awareness to get tested. Early detection can accelerate treatment and reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
Target groups include men who have sex with men, female sex workers, injecting drug users, transgender individuals, tuberculosis patients, and other groups at high risk of HIV exposure.
The implementation of mobile screening still faces several obstacles. Target groups are spread across various locations. Additionally, some outreach points have not yet granted health workers access to conduct examinations.
“This condition poses a challenge in expanding HIV screening coverage. Therefore, we continue to build communication with various parties so that health services can reach more people,” he said.
As of May 2026, a total of 6,144 people have undergone HIV screening. This figure is equivalent to approximately 36 per cent of the annual target of 16,839 people.
The Batam City Health Office is optimistic the target can be achieved. During the 2022 to 2025 period, Batam managed to meet 100 per cent of its HIV screening targets.
Data from the Batam City Health Office shows that 15,060 people underwent HIV screening in 2024. From these examinations, 822 positive HIV cases were detected. In 2025, the number of screening participants increased to 15,868 people, with 671 of them testing positive for HIV.
The Batam City Government has also provided 32 Care Support Treatment services for people with HIV and 36 Voluntary Counseling and Testing services. These services are spread across 21 community health centres, 13 hospitals, one detention centre clinic, and one correctional facility clinic.
All community health centres in Batam City also provide sexually transmitted infection screening services. Viral load testing is available at Budi Kemuliaan Hospital Batam and Embung Fatimah Regional General Hospital.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis services are also available at eight community health centres and five hospitals. These services are provided to high-risk groups as a preventive measure against HIV.
Didi urged the public, particularly those with risk factors, not to hesitate to utilise the HIV screening services provided by the government.
“The sooner it is detected, the sooner the patient receives treatment. Thus, quality of life can be maintained and the risk of transmission to others can be suppressed,” he added.