11 more AIDS cases

11 more AIDS cases

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's official AIDS count continues its steady increase, with 11 more people testing positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus in October, bringing the total to 355.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas told reporters yesterday that Jakarta still tops the list with 118 cases, followed by Irian Jaya with 96, Bali with 33 and Riau and East Java provinces with 29 each.

Government officials have admitted that the actual number of HIV-positive people in Indonesia is likely to be 100 times over the official number.

Azwar, who heads the national commission to counter the spread of AIDS, told reporters that the government plans to launch a massive campaign against the disease on Dec. 1, international AIDS day.

Since it falls on Friday, the government has asked Moslem preachers to take up the anti-AIDS campaign in their Friday sermons, he said, adding that leaders of other religions will also be asked to do their part.

The minister ruled out promoting the use of condoms in the government's anti-AIDS campaign, saying that condoms only have a 26 percent safety rate.

"People should be encouraged to strengthen their faith," he said, adding that condoms are only effective for family planning. (emb)