CSR support for HIV/AIDS patients still low

Singaraja: Support from companies and industries for people with HIV/AIDS in Buleleng regency is considered very low in comparison with other regencies.

Yahya Anshori, a staffer at Bali Commission for HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, explained that companies usually channel their financial support through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.

In other regencies, such as Badung, a number of hotels, restaurants and other tourist-related businesses have already allocated funds to support people with HIV/AIDS.

“Such support is badly needed to help ease their financial burden. Their help shows how companies and communities can reach out to people with HIV/AIDS,” Yahya said.

The fight against HIV/AIDS has become the responsibility of all society.

In Buleleng, the community has been working together with health institutions and NGOs to help people with HIV/AIDS. However, there are no companies or business communities that pay attention to these serious health problem.

“We are still hoping for support from business communities here to take part in anti-HIV/AIDS campaigns,” he said.

Currently, there are around 1,400 people with HIV/AIDS in Buleleng regency. Some of the patients contracted HIV/AIDS through sharing needles.

According to data from the commission, there are more than 4,000 people with HIV/AIDS across Bali.