PT TWC & Central Java Provincial Health Office Conduct HIV & TB Screening for Tourism Actors at DPSP Borobudur

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan & Ratu Boko (Persero) in collaboration with the Central Java Provincial Health Office conducted counseling and screening for tuberculosis, HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for tourism actors in the Borobudur area, Thursday (26/8/2021). This activity is a form of support for the Borobudur Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP) to ensure the physical and spiritual health of tourism actors so that tourists feel comfortable and safe when visiting.

The activity that took place at Manohara Borobudur Resto was attended by 50 participants consisting of 20 employees of TWC Borobudur Unit and 30 people from various elements of tourism actors, such as traders, photographers, and tour guides. The activity was carried out with strict health protocols and antigen swab tests were carried out to screen participants for Covid-19.

In her remarks, the Head of the Magelang Public Health Center (Balkesmas), Dr. Retno Mratihatani, emphasized her support for Borobudur as one of the DPSPs appointed by the Indonesian Government.

"We want to ensure that your health is maintained. If the tourist is healthy, it will have an impact on themselves, their families and their destinations. If the tourist is healthy, it can convince tourists to come back," he said.

Head of the Prevention & Control of Infectious Diseases Section of the Central Java Provincial Health Office, Dr. Irma Makiah, explained that with the existence of the Borobudur DPSP, many parties will support efforts to create a safe area for tourists to visit.

"The Ministry of Health also wants to be involved. Starting with vaccination for tourism actors in Borobudur and screening efforts for TB, HIV and STIs. Hopefully with this activity, you will be healthier and ready to welcome the post-pandemic era," he explained.

The screening process is carried out by taking blood samples from participants which are then subjected to rapid antibody tests to detect the presence of specific antibodies in the blood that can fight certain diseases.

This program is also a form of support for the government which has launched the Elimination of TB and HIV by 2030. Meanwhile, the Central Java provincial government itself has launched a program to be free from both by 2028.

"Let us all support the TB and HIV elimination program," he said.

Meanwhile, GM of Borobudur Temple Tourism Park (TWCB) Jamaludin Mawardi expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the Central Java Provincial Health Office in facilitating this activity. According to him, this effort is a form of government support for the tourism world which has been affected during this pandemic.

"The government is not half-hearted in providing support. Various parties, both ministries, institutions provide support, both infrastructure, institutional support for village communities and health as it is now," he explained.

Jamaludin also hopes that through this activity, it can increase the trust of tourists to visit Borobudur. "We want the image of DPSP Borobudur to be supported by the health sector as well. In order to increase trust in the eyes of tourists. What is being done now is the right thing to start with. Hopefully we can all maintain this image well," he said.