More HIV/AIDS cases found in Samarinda

More HIV/AIDS cases found in Samarinda

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Head of the East Kalimantan health
office Ridwan Masrun said at least three sex workers in the
province needed extra supervision and intensive care as they
tested positive for HIV/AIDS.

He said the three were among 26 prostitutes tested for
HIV/AIDS in the remote area of Malinau, bordering Indonesia and
Sabah, Malaysia.

Ridwan said that the result of the test really shocked the
local people in the isolated region.

"This is a new finding in 2002," he said.

Earlier this year, at least 27 more cases of HIV/AIDS were
found across the province, including eight in Samarinda, three in
Balikpapan, four in Kutai Kartanegara, one in East Kutai, three
in Nunukan, two in Berau and six in Tarakan, Ridwan added.

He said that he had no knowledge of the exact number of
AIDS/HIV sufferers in East Kalimantan, but speculated it could be
around 3,000.

He appealed to the local administration to take necessary
measures to prevent the further spread of AIDS in the
province.--Antara