Awareness night on HIV/AIDS

JAKARTA (JP): Thirty-nine cities throughout the country are taking part in a worldwide AIDS awareness night on May 4. The theme this year is "Dignity and Health Care For All," and will be held by separate organizations involved with AIDS. The event is called the "14th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial and Mobilization."

Coverage on HIV/AIDS, one organizer said in a release received Tuesday, still lacked information on extremely expensive treatments, which most people find unaffordable.

In Jakarta the event will be held at Spiritia (8463029), the Indonesian Children's Welfare Foundation (3905747); the Bandungwangi group/Kusuma Buana Foundation (8316337), and Yayasan Mitra Indonesia (3921608), among others.

The activities are being organized by the Nusantara AIDS Mobilization National Coordination Group.

Anyone can participate -- the group urges households to light a candle in front of their homes Sunday night.

A newsletter from organizers reported that 92 percent of the world's HIV-infected population does not have access to basic treatment. (anr)