AIDS cases 'could reach one million'

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)