More students join anti-AIDS campaign<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): More than forty students of the private
\nIndonesian Christian University (UKI) completed yesterday a two-
\nday training course on AIDS awareness.<\/p>\n
They will join thousand of students from other universities,
\nas well as high schools, in holding regular anti-AIDS campaigns,
\naimed at preventing the spread of the disease.<\/p>\n
Several doctors and anti-AIDS activists delivered speeches and
\nheld discussions with the participants of the course. The
\nactivists are Nafsiah Mboy, Sarsanto Wibisono, Irwanto, Irwan
\nJulianato, Merry Sibarani, Maruli Simanjuntak, Tua Purba, Paul
\nMatulesy, Jurie Luhulima, Jerry Lohy and Harry Purnama.<\/p>\n
The university students have set up an anti-AIDS association,
\ncalled the UKI Students Committee for AIDS Awareness. The
\ncommittee is planning to hold anti-AIDS campaigns involving more
\nthan 2,000 new students of the university. They also plan to
\npublish a monthly bulletin to disseminate information on the
\ndanger of AIDS.<\/p>\n
So far, doctors and other medical experts have not found a
\ncure for sufferers of the disease, which is caused by the Human
\nImmunodeficiency Virus (HIV).<\/p>\n
\"However, the disease is preventable,\" Harry Purnama, an anti-
\nAIDS activist, said.<\/p>\n
Purnama explained that AIDS is not considered a disease of
\nforeigners any more. It spreads very rapidly within the
\nIndonesian population, young and adult.<\/p>\n
\"Facts and figures warrant us to act right now, to combat the
\nspread of the disease,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Recent official data shows that, at this time, there are 312
\npeople infected with HIV and AIDS in Indonesia. Among the
\npatients, 54 percent of them are young people aged between 15 and
\n29 years.<\/p>\n
For that reason, anti-AIDS associations, especially non-
\ngovernmental organizations (NGO), focus their campaigns on young
\npeople. The other reason is the fact that Indonesia's youth is
\nnot usually given information, or formal education, on sex at
\nschool or university. Also, the government does not have a
\nspecific program on anti-AIDS campaigns involving young people.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association, an NGO that has
\nchosen the anti-AIDS campaign as one of its activities,
\nchallenges adolescents, adults, doctors, paramedics, hospitals,
\npublic health advocates, parents and family members to recognize
\nand accept global and human responsibility for the prevention of
\nHIV and AIDS.<\/p>\n
The way to prevent it is actually very simple, a statement
\nmade available to The Jakarta Post declares. Attitude and
\ndiscipline are the problem. No scientific knowledge is required,
\nor medical education is attached.<\/p>\n
It proposes six ways to help prevent HIV\/AIDS. First, hold
\nfast to our faith in and love of God.<\/p>\n
Second, avoid sexual relations before marriage and avoid
\nhaving multiple partners.<\/p>\n
Third, if you have sex, use a condom.<\/p>\n
Fourth, do not share needles.<\/p>\n
Fifth, combat discrimination against all AIDS prevention and
\ntreatment related efforts, in any place and in any time.<\/p>\n
Lastly, care, pray for and love our bothers and sisters who
\nare infected by HIV.(29)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-students-join-anti-aids-campaign-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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