City gets an AIDS clinic

JAKARTA (JP): A new AIDS (Acquire Immune Deficiency Syndrome) clinic has opened in the city. It will provide the public with all services related to the deadly disease.

The Awanama clinic was set up by the Pelita Ilmu foundation in Tebet Timur Dalam, South Jakarta on Friday.

Nurwati, head of the clinic, said on Saturday that the clinic was badly needed to help curb the increasing number of people carrying HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), which causes AIDS.

There are 61 people that are HIV positive and 44 AIDS sufferers in Jakarta, the latest record of the health ministry shows.

She called on the public not to hesitate in consulting the clinic about AIDS/HIV and having blood tests to make sure they are not infected.

"We will withhold the names of our clients to avoid possible humiliation," she said.

The clinic is offering free services for two months.

Besides the Pelita Ilmu foundation, Jakarta has other anti- AIDS organizations such as the Indonesian AIDS foundation, Pelopor Maju Mandiri foundation, the AIDS study group of Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital, Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association, Kusuma Buana foundation, Mitra Indonesia AIDS hot line and the National Epidemiology Network. (29)