Indonesia and HIV/AIDS: A slow progress

Indonesia and HIV/AIDS: A slow progress

Rita A. Widiadana, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

Some 300 participants of the recent ASEAN People's Assembly in
Denpasar, Bali, demanded that the next summit of leaders of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, scheduled for November,
address the "human security" agenda -- urgent issues affecting
the welfare of some 500 million people in the region.

Among these issues is the Human Immunodeficiency
Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), with a more
effective approach by ASEAN called for given the slow progress
some member countries have made in addressing this pressing
issue. An assembly participant who is also an HIV/AIDS
councillor, Danny Irawan Yatim, shared his views with The Jakarta
Post on Indonesia's progress in this area. The following are
excerpts of the interview:

Question: How do you view the HIV/AIDS problem in Indonesia,
and the efforts of the government and the public to deal with the
problem?

Answer: As in other Asian countries, HIV/AIDS was quite late
coming to Indonesia, but the problems now are very complicated
and very serious. To see how the government and the people are
facing the problem, we have to look back to the time when it
first emerged. The first HIV/AIDS case was uncovered on the
resort island of Bali in 1987, involving a Dutch tourist. Since
it affected a foreigner, local people called HIV/AIDS a "Western
disease" affecting only foreigners or tourists, nothing we should
worry about.

When HIV/AIDS took the lives of movie stars, designers and
musicians in overseas countries, people would say "Oh, it's a
celebrities' disease." Gay communities and prostitutes have been
blamed for spreading the deadly virus. In this frame of mind, the
Indonesian government launched programs for HIV/AIDS prevention
and action.

How great an impact have these government programs had so far?

The government set up a special National Committee on AIDS in
l994. The committee held discussions, seminars and other
ceremonial activities in a bid to raise awareness about the
possible catastrophe of HIV/AIDS related cases.

(The government, under subsequent coordinating ministers for
people's welfare, has launched the Stop AIDS Action Program, The
National HIV/AIDS Prevention Movement, etc. -- Ed.).

All of the recommendations and movements need to be translated
into real action, or they will just end up as piles of paper.

What has been the role of non-governmental organizations and
civic organizations in dealing with HIV/AIDS so far?

Many are doing a tremendous job. These are the ones that work
on the front lines -- in brothels, with "high-risk people",
students, street children, truck drivers and so on. Many of the
programs are simple yet effective.

If you visit a red-light district in Jakarta, Surabaya or
Batam, most sex workers already known about HIV/AIDS and how to
prevent it. That is mostly the result of work done by NGOs.

But of course the NGOs face limits in making their programs
far-reaching, such as in their funding, human resources and
facilities. Usually, one NGO works with a certain community group
in a certain area, and therefore it would be difficult for them
to expand their project to other areas. And certainly, it is not
their responsibility.

It is the responsibility of the government, which has the
power to enforce any policy, implement programs with adequate
funds and facilities, provided that the government has the
sincerity and willingness to do so.

What kind of commitment should our government have to fight
HIV/AIDS?

We can learn from neighbors like Thailand, which has
implemented firm and consistent HIV/AIDS programs. Its government
has a strong political will in dealing with the issue. Thailand
imposes 100 percent condom use for sex workers, and provides
generic medication for people with HIV/AIDS. It also has an
ongoing campaign. Such actions really take political will from
the government.

Indonesian officials often say, "Oh, HIV/AIDS prevalence in
Thailand is very high compared to Indonesia, which only has 3,000
reported cases of people with HIV/AIDS."

Compared to Indonesia's population of over 200 million, the
number is insignificant, but that doesn't mean the government can
make such a comparison to justify their slowness in dealing with
the issue.

In Indonesia, we are still stuck on the question of whether we
should promote condom use or not. If we promote condoms as a
preventive measure, we are accused of encouraging sex outside of
marriage. This is among the topics that has been discussed since
l994, and we have not moved anywhere on the issue yet.

A large number of officials and legislators have frequently
visited Thailand and other neighboring countries to carry out
comparative studies, but the results of the studies have never
been applied here.

What should the government and the people do?

First of all, the government should realize that HIV/AIDS is a
real threat to its people. HIV/AIDS is beyond a health problem;
it is a huge social issue that must be addressed promptly and
comprehensively.

It will touch all members of society without exception,
including babies, housewives and teenagers through various means,
such as through blood transfusions and needle sharing. It also
affects migrant workers. It is high time to take action and to
stop arguing about unimportant things.

Meanwhile, NGOs and the community can work hand-in-hand to
disseminate accurate information and to help those who are
affected by HIV/AIDS. These can be your neighbor, your close
friend and even your own family.