Bali has opened the country’s first clinic to specifically serve men who have sex with men, and anyone at risk for and wanting to be tested for HIV or sexually transmitted infections.
The Bali Medika Clinic, located in the popular tourist area of Kuta, has been in operation since September 27 but was officially opened on Saturday, with the mission of tackling the stigma routinely experienced by gay men and transgender people at other health centers.
“This clinic will be a safe haven for homosexual and transgender people who continue to experience difficulty getting access to treatment at general health care facilities,” said Prof. Dewa Nyoman Wirawan, an adviser to the clinic, was quoted as saying in the media.
The clinic will be run by Dr Yogi Prasetia, director of the clinic and five other staff members. He told Fridae that among the services available will be confidential medical check-ups, screenings for sexually transmitted diseases, CD4 testing and antiretroviral treatment, hormone-replacement therapy, expanded diagnostic and care clinic for individuals at risk for and already infected with HIV, sychological counseling and promoting safe sex practices.
Indonesian citizens will be treated free of charge while foreigners will be charged market rates for exams and laboratory tests.
The clinic is funded by Bali Peduli – an association of friends living in Bali and concerned by the apparent rise in HIV and AIDS among young gay men in Bali, and AusAID, with support from the Bali Provincial Health Department and the Bali AIDS Commission.
According to statistics provided on balipeduli.org, the HIV prevalence rate among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Bali is between 13-19% and among transgenders in Bali, the rate is greater than 40%. Less than 10% of the high-risk group members pursue testing for HIV due to stigma, shame, cost, and service challenges which discourage clients.
Although Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, the majority of Balinese practice Hinduism.
Bali Medika Clinic is located at Jalan Kalianget #3, Kuta, Bali. Phone number +62 361 7913737. The clinic will be open on Monday to Friday from 4pm till 8pm, and Saturday from 9am till noon. Staff members speak Indonesian and/or English.
讀者回應
Kirk
http://sexytenga.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/sexytenga
I read this is free for local people and thats great.
They also tell that "foreigners will be charged market rates".
Im not sure what that mean...
Normally its different payment for tourist or people who have kitas and live in Bali, when you get sick.
Since im from scandinavia, this has been free many many years already.
So this clinic should be free also for people who stay in Bali and have kitas.
Scandinavia and other countrys has help Indonesia economic long long time. So this should be two ways....
And that will also safe local people, if this clinic was free for every one.
Are you tourist, you can only stay 2 month anyway, so you can do check up when you arrive at your country.
But.... this is great and hope they will advertise this clinic at the gay-clubs, so people go there for check up!
congrats,once again
請先登入再使用此功能。