East Java bylaw to protect people living with HIV/AIDS

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
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Source: Dr. Sutomo General Hospital (largest in Surabaya)