People with HIV hope for better year<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A group of people with Human Immunodeficiency
\nVirus in Indonesia have expressed the hope that 1996 will see
\nbetter access to medicines and less stigmatization by society.<\/p>\n
"In 1995...there seemed to be a passive stance in the
\nprovision and registration of certain drugs," according to a
\nletter, written by a person who has the virus, read yesterday
\nduring a ceremony to mark the first anniversary of Support, a
\nmonthly publication focusing on people with HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n
"In times of emergencies, our friends have had to go abroad to
\nseek the necessary medicines. But not everyone can do this,"
\naccording to the letter, which was read by Susan, a volunteer
\nwith Pelita Ilmu Foundation, publisher of the magazine.<\/p>\n
Drugs are both scarce and very expensive, the letter said.<\/p>\n
For instance, anti-retroviral drugs, which are needed to
\nextend a period without AIDS symptoms, cost Rp 400,000 (US$175)
\nand one needs to buy them every 20 days.<\/p>\n
Sjamsuridjal Djauzi, a medical consultant at the foundation,
\nsaid only a few of dozen drugs needed by people with HIV\/AIDS to
\novercome additional infections such as tuberculosis, have been
\nregistered by the Ministry of Health.<\/p>\n
The letter was written by a person with HIV on behalf of other
\nHIV-positive people coordinated by the foundation.<\/p>\n
Pelita Ilmu, in its second annual honors for individuals and
\ninstitutions, rewarded a musician, Anto W. Soemartono for his
\nwork in supporting anti-AIDS campaigns.<\/p>\n
For the category of institutions, it rewarded East Kalimantan
\nprovincial administration for its intensive information drive
\nagainst HIV\/AIDS despite only one HIV-positive case being found
\nin the province.<\/p>\n
The letter also expressed resentment at the way the Indonesian
\nmedia have treated people with HIV\/AIDS who had volunteered to
\ncome forward to present their case.<\/p>\n
"If we choose to come forth, it is because we wish to
\nparticipate in the important work related to HIV-positive people
\nin Indonesia, not to be an attraction," it said.<\/p>\n
It claims media exposure always labeled people with HIV\/AIDS
\nwho come forward as a "making confessions" and their identities
\nare partially hidden like criminals.<\/p>\n
"(We) are exposed more as victims, as those who have deviated,
\nor those who have repented," the letter said.<\/p>\n
Susan added that an alternative for those who have agreed to
\nbe exposed in the media should be a more "humane" image, such as
\nthe portrayal of a person with loved ones.<\/p>\n
They should be requested to talk on their future hopes and
\nplans, rather than revealing their past before they were
\ninfected, Susan said.<\/p>\n
Sjamsuridjal said that HIV-positive people may not realize the
\nimpact of exposure, "because of their spirited drive to take part
\nin the campaign work (related to HIV\/AIDS)."<\/p>\n
The dilemma of exposure will no longer exist, he said, when
\nHIV\/AIDS is no longer linked to moral issues. (anr)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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