AIDS real count -- 200 times the official record

AIDS real count -- 200 times the official record

JAKARTA (JP): The actual number of people who carry the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Indonesia could be 200 times more
than officially recorded, Coordinating Minister for Public
Welfare Azwar Anas says.

Azwar told reporters yesterday that the number of people who
are known to carry the virus, which causes Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), in Indonesia has reached 213 in 14
provinces by the latest official count.

"If we have 213, then that means that there could be between
100 to 200 behind everyone of them," he said.

Of these HIV carriers, 35 have died.

According to the figures, there are two HIV carriers in North
Sumatra, one in West Sumatra, 17 in Riau, three in South Sumatra,
69 in Jakarta, 10 in West Java, one in Central Java, two in
Yogyakarta, 23 in East Java, one in West Kalimantan, one in East
Kalimantan, 28 in Bali, one in East Nusa Tenggara and 54 in Irian
Jaya.

"What is even more disconcerting is that many of them are in
their productive ages," he said.

As many as 96 are between the 20-29, 59 in the 30-39 age
group, and 20 in the 40-49 age group.

Other statistics showed that seven HIV carriers are in the 15-
19 age group and four in the 50-59 age group. The ages of the
other 23 are not known.

Azwar also disclosed that 58 of the carriers are homosexuals,
widely believed to be a high risk group.

The minister said the government is currently drafting a new
presidential executive order designed to coordinate more
effectively the campaign against the spread of AIDS in Indonesia.
(emb)