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