AIDS cases 'could reach one million'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The number of people contracting HIV\/AIDS could
\nreach one million by the year 2000 if people were \"careless\", a
\nsenior cabinet minister warned yesterday.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Population Haryono Suyono called on the
\npeople to not risk contracting the syndrome through promiscuity.<\/p>\n
Haryono, who also chairs the coordinating board of family
\nplanning programs, declined to specify what he meant by
\n\"careless.\"<\/p>\n
\"People should not claim they are 'good' and others not as far
\nas HIV\/AIDS is concerned,\" he told journalists before meeting
\nwith President Soeharto.<\/p>\n
According to the latest official figure, the number of people
\nacross the country who tested positive to the Human
\nImmunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency
\nSyndrome (AIDS) was 501 as of Dec. 31.<\/p>\n
Officials were alarmed at the rapid spread of the HIV
\ncondition throughout Indonesia. The health ministry reported
\nTuesday that, in December alone, 35 new cases were detected in
\nseven provinces.<\/p>\n
Director General for Control of Communicable Diseases Hadi M.
\nAbednego said the actual number could be 100 times higher than
\nreported.<\/p>\n
Haryono said its is probable that by the year 2000, one in
\nevery 200 people worldwide would live with HIV\/AIDS if the
\ngovernment and the public did not take appropriate measures now.<\/p>\n
The minister added he would raise the issue with the
\nPresident. (pan)<\/p>",
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