Top doctor questions state anti-AIDS drive<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A top doctor yesterday questioned the
\ngovernment's commitment in its campaign to prevent the spread of
\nAIDS, as 12 more people tested positive for the virus in January,
\nbringing the countrywide total to 376.<\/p>\n
Kartono Mohamad, vice chairman of the Indonesian AIDS
\nFoundation, said the government has not made serious efforts to
\nstop the spread of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and
\nthe Human Immunodeficiency Virus.<\/p>\n
The steady increase in the number of HIV-positive people over
\nthe past year reflects this lack of seriousness, he told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
In comparison, in many other countries the number of people
\nwith AIDS and HIV has decreased, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Non-governmental organizations have been more active in the
\ncampaign compared to what the government has been doing,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The government's involvement can only be viewed as a national
\nstrategy, he said, adding \"But, we don't see the government
\nimplementing the strategy in the field.\"<\/p>\n
What is lacking most is the government's \"political will\" in
\nmaking the anti-AIDS campaign a strong national issue, he said.<\/p>\n
He speculated that the government has been downplaying its
\nrole for fear that a vigorous campaign would send a signal to the
\npublic that the AIDS danger in Indonesia has reached an alarming
\nlevel.<\/p>\n
\"The government has concerns that a full-fledged campaign
\nagainst HIV\/AIDS will ruin its public image,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Yet, this is precisely what the government should do, it
\nshould raise the alarm about the dangers of AIDS,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Kartono also pointed out that the government is reluctant to
\nendorse the promotion of condoms because of strong objections
\nfrom religious leaders.<\/p>\n
The government has ruled out the promotion of condoms in its
\nanti-AIDS drive, saying that it would give the impression that it
\ncondones prostitution and extramarital sex.<\/p>\n
\"The AIDS problem in Indonesia is serious. We don't want to
\nwait until it's too late like in Thailand,\" Kartono said.<\/p>\n
Besides, the number of people reported to have the virus may
\nbe low, but the actual number could be much higher, he added.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Health yesterday said that in January there
\nwere 11 new HIV-positive cases and one person with full-blown
\nAIDS.<\/p>\n
Nine of the HIV cases were residents of Jakarta, one of East
\nJava and one of East Kalimantan. The person found with full-blown
\nAIDS was an East Java resident.<\/p>\n
The national total now comprises 88 people with AIDS -- 56 of
\nwhom have died, and 288 HIV-positive people.<\/p>\n
Jakarta still tops the list with 134 HIV and AIDS cases, Irian
\nJaya with 96 cases, Bali and East Java each with 33 cases and
\nRiau with 29 cases. (31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/top-doctor-questions-state-anti-aids-drive-1447893297",
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