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)