The seminar was attended by Elvi Sahara Lubis, M.K.M., Head of the Managed Care Division of Medical Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut; dr. Fany Aqila, a doctor at the Pertamina Patra Niaga Sumbagut Polyclinic; dr. Ahmad Fauzi Lubis, Sp.Pd., as the speaker; Fasti Rola, S.Psi., M.Psi., Head of the Undergraduate Program in Psychology; and Sartika Marina Lubis, Manager of Education, Student Affairs, and Alumni Affairs, along with representatives of Medical Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut and the Faculty of Psychology USU.

The activity was opened with remarks by Fasti Rola, S.Psi., M.Psi. In her remarks, the Faculty of Psychology USU expressed its appreciation to Medical Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut and all parties who supported the implementation of the educational activity. According to her, the issue of HIV is not only related to health aspects but is also closely connected to psychological and social aspects. Stigma and inaccurate information about HIV can cause fear and discrimination, and may even discourage individuals from seeking information or accessing the healthcare services they need. Therefore, understanding of HIV needs to be built on facts and accurate information, rather than myths, prejudice, or unverified information.

In line with this, Elvi Sahara Lubis hoped that students could take an active role in disseminating accurate information while preventing discrimination against people living with HIV. “Hopefully, through this socialization activity, students can become the front line in preventing discrimination against people living with HIV (ODHIV) by disseminating information and facts related to HIV/AIDS that have been explained by the speakers,” she said.

The activity then continued with a presentation by dr. Ahmad Fauzi Lubis, Sp.Pd. In his presentation, dr. Ahmad explained the characteristics of people infected with HIV, how HIV is transmitted, and prevention measures that can be taken.

The “Get the Facts, Break the Stigma” activity is also in line with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being through increasing awareness and efforts to prevent HIV, as well as SDG 4: Quality Education through improving health literacy among young people. Through collaboration between the Faculty of Psychology USU and Pertamina Patra Niaga, this activity is expected to strengthen students' understanding of HIV/AIDS while encouraging more empathetic attitudes free from stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

By emphasizing fact-based information, this activity serves as one of the efforts to build a healthy, knowledgeable, caring, and responsible young generation. Students are expected to share the knowledge they have gained with the wider community so that the message “Get the Facts, Break the Stigma” does not stop in the seminar room but can create a broader positive impact.