Background and insight
Human Rights Watch reports that US aid cuts in 2025 ended community-based HIV prevention and support for LGBT people in Indonesia. The organization interviewed 35 people, including people living with HIV, outreach workers, and activists. According to the report, US HIV funding for Indonesia fell from $11.9 million in fiscal year 2024 to $7.9 million in FY2025, and USAID-funded services directed at LGBT communities were cut.
Outreach workers had distributed condoms, shared prevention information, helped people access confidential testing, accompanied clients to clinics, and supported treatment adherence. The report says some workers lost contact with clients, while some people have been late collecting medication or missed doses. HRW also identifies stigma, discrimination, and the risk of prosecution as barriers to seeking care. These are the report’s findings and assessments; they should be considered alongside information from local health authorities and other experts.
What does this mean for your everyday life?
The story shows that healthcare is not just about whether medicine exists. People also need to be able to seek care without fear of humiliation, exposure, or rejection. A trusted contact or community organization can help someone move from being isolated to getting testing, treatment, and follow-up.
For anyone who needs HIV-related care, or supports someone who does, continuity matters. Do not stop or change treatment on your own. If a service closes, a healthcare professional or trusted organization may help identify an alternative and plan the transition.
💡 How to use this knowledge
- Identify a clinic, advice service, or local organization that offers confidential HIV testing and follow-up. Save its contact details somewhere secure.
- If you or someone close to you loses access to a service, contact the treating clinic before medication runs out. Ask specifically about prescriptions, refills, or transfer to another service.
- Support local health and rights organizations through volunteering, donations, or sharing verified information. Never share another person’s health details without their consent.