AIDS

AIDS

From Kompas

Kompas (July 27, 1994) published a news article about AIDS cases in Indonesia. The article relates about the plan to change the Koja General Hospital in North Jakarta into an AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) Hospital, the first of its kind in Indonesia, and at the same utilize it as a research center for AIDS.

This initiative deserves our praise. The number of AIDS/HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) positive patients is recorded as 262 people. It is small when compared to the size of the Indonesian population. But it is quite probable that AIDS patients will increase rapidly within a short time. In other countries there are cases where transfer of the disease occurred through indirect contact. People who have medical treatment from doctors that previously treated AIDS patients, for example, can possibly be infected by the disease.

In this relation, I would like to suggest to IDI (Indonesian Medical Association) to introduce a regulation which requires all medical staff to use protective equipment when treating AIDS patients such as rubber gloves and surgical masks.

Also it is important to use disposable equipment. This practice may inflict a higher cost, but it will be much more expensive to treat people affected by the disease. Whichever method used is for the benefit and safety of both the patients and medical staff alike.

HANSYE S DULIMARTA

Bandung, West Java