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.