East Java bylaw to protect people living with HIV/AIDS

ID Nugroho, Surabaya

People living with AIDS in East Java can breathe a sigh of relief for, in the near future, East Java will have a bylaw that will protect them. The bylaw, which is slated to be the first in the country, will put an end to discrimination experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Plans to put the bylaw into action were revealed following recent discussions between East Java legislative council Commission E and the organization People's Care for AIDS (MPA).

Commission E deputy speaker Lutfilah Masduki said after the meeting that the bylaw would stipulate penalties on those who discriminated against PLWHA in, for example, workplaces or schools. "If school authorities expel a student who has HIV/AIDS, they could be imprisoned for three months or fined Rp 3 million (US$350)," he said on Tuesday.

Separately, GAYa Nusantara gay rights organization chairman Budianto hailed the plan, saying that it would end discrimination against PLWHA. People who lead gay lifestyles are often perceived by the public as being associated with HIV/AIDS".

"I'm happy that the bylaw will be issued soon and hope it will be followed by concrete government action, such as providing low- cost medication to PLWHA and supplying low-cost condoms to the public as a preventive measure," said Budianto.

Besides, he added, the bylaw should also address widely held public prejudices that HIV/AIDS can be spread through conventional social interaction.

"People tend to think that HIV/AIDS can be spread through talking, kissing or meeting other people, but that's wrong. The realities should be set out clearly within the bylaw," he said.

Given that such prejudices have spread widely through society, it is hardly surprising that society, in turn, often ostracizes PLWHA, including their own families, he said.

HIV/AIDS cases at Dr. Sutomo Hospital, Jan to May, 2004 ================================================================== Children : 3 Adults : 226 Deceased : 180 Receiving treatment : 46 ================================================================== Source: Dr. Sutomo General Hospital (largest in Surabaya)