Anti-AIDS drive in Tarakan

Anti-AIDS drive in Tarakan

TARAKAN, East Kalimantan: Health officials in charge of curbing the spread of HIV are intensifying their activities on Tarakan island.

They said the island, which borders Malaysia, is especially vulnerable to the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) because it is a gateway for foreign visitors into the eastern provinces.

"Tarakan is a major transit point for people from Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Pakistan," said Asli Amien who chairs the East Kalimantan's government AIDS squad.

Among the various measures the government has taken is the setting up of a center where people can have their blood tested for HIV, Antara reported.

There has been one reported AIDS case in East Kalimantan, where, he said, condoms are rarely used in red light districts. (pan)