AIDS cases 'could reach one million'

JAKARTA (JP): The number of people contracting HIV/AIDS could reach one million by the year 2000 if people were "careless", a senior cabinet minister warned yesterday.

State Minister of Population Haryono Suyono called on the people to not risk contracting the syndrome through promiscuity.

Haryono, who also chairs the coordinating board of family planning programs, declined to specify what he meant by "careless."

"People should not claim they are 'good' and others not as far as HIV/AIDS is concerned," he told journalists before meeting with President Soeharto.

According to the latest official figure, the number of people across the country who tested positive to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was 501 as of Dec. 31.

Officials were alarmed at the rapid spread of the HIV condition throughout Indonesia. The health ministry reported Tuesday that, in December alone, 35 new cases were detected in seven provinces.

Director General for Control of Communicable Diseases Hadi M. Abednego said the actual number could be 100 times higher than reported.

Haryono said its is probable that by the year 2000, one in every 200 people worldwide would live with HIV/AIDS if the government and the public did not take appropriate measures now.

The minister added he would raise the issue with the President. (pan)