Merauke to declare war on HIV/AIDS

Merauke to declare war on HIV/AIDS

MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: Merauke will declare a "state of emergency" to fight against the rapid spread of AIDS in the regency, according to one official.

"I will invite all tribal chiefs and local religious leaders immediately and, in front of them, I will declare an all-out battle against AIDS which is spreading throughout the province at an alarming rate," Merauke Regent John Glubagedse said here on Monday.

Merauke regency is now ranked first in Indonesia in the rate of infection as the number of local people suffering from the disease has reached 320. As of Sept. 30, 2001, the total number of AIDS patients in the entire province was 629.

"Tribal chiefs and religious leaders in the regency will be expected to play a major role in fighting against the disease," he said. --Antara