HIV/AIDS rises in S. Sumatra

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: The number of people infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the province has seen a considerable rise in the past five years.

Official data from the provincial health office shows that at the end of 2000 there were 74 people infected with HIV/AIDS. Five years earlier the number had "only" reached 32.

However many admit that the true number of those infected with the deadly disease may be much higher as the prevalence of the disease here is estimated to be four out of every 100,000 residents. South Sumatra has a population of about 7.3 million.

M. Suharni, a researcher at the Center of Policy and People Participation Study, in Palembang, urged the local administration and the community to together anticipate the expected increase.

"We need to appropriately anticipate to help the vulnerable," he said adding that "we need an institution that will take charge and address the AIDS problem."

Syafii Ahmad, head of the local health office, said that in an epidemic situation the first steps would be to cure the host by using drugs, then we kill the agent.

But unfortunately this is inapplicable with AIDS as there is still no cure or vaccine yet.

"Then we should concentrate on an approach which targets the environment. We must appeal to people to have safe sex through advocacy, counseling, and campaigns", Ahmad remarked. (33)