Blood donors have AIDS

SORONG, Irian Jaya: Three blood donors to the Sorong regency Red Cross have been found suffering from the lethal Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), reports said.

The head of the Sorong office of the Ministry of Health, Risalwan Ridwan, said on Wednesday that one of the AIDS patients was a serviceman posted in Sorong.

The other two were reportedly civilians, but further information about the patients' identification was not available.

"The revelation was made after thorough examination of all donors, including laboratory (blood) testing in Jakarta," Ridwan said, adding that the three were now receiving special care.

"They were all distressed. They need help from religious figures or whoever," he said.

The head of the Sorong Red Cross office, Panjaitan, confirmed the reports, but gave no further comment. (48/45)