More HIV/AIDS counseling required: Experts
JAKARTA (JP): Medical practitioners here should not only focus on the clinical aspects of detecting and treating HIV/AIDS, but should also consider psychological and social aspects, such as counseling those infected with the deadly virus, experts suggest.
During a seminar at the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) on Saturday, experts called for greater attention to counseling and information dissemination regarding the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
This is regarded as particularly crucial as a strong social stigma against those infected still exists within society.
Counseling is also vital to provide moral support for those infected with the virus.
"Unfortunately, due to a lack of facilities and human resources, there is still limited counseling being conducted, when in fact it is extremely vital," said psychologist S. Chasanah Machdi from Pelita Ilmu Foundation.
She added that the public is still confused about the diseases.
"Many still think that they can be infected by shaking hands with AIDS or HIV sufferers, or by just kissing their cheek. Suspicion and discrimination is still high," Chasanah said.
According to Sigit Priohutomo from the AIDS and Sexual Disease directorate at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, counseling is especially vital for people in the high risk of infection category and those who are already infected.
"Can you imagine how those people felt when they found out that they were HIV positive? Once, there was a patient who committed suicide as soon as he left the clinic after finding out that he was HIV positive," he said.
Clinics, laboratories and health centers which provide blood tests for HIV, he added, should also provide counseling.
"Unfortunately, there are very few of these places which provide counselors, while it is, in fact, very important to provide pre-test and post-test counseling," Sigit said.
Sigit suggested that every laboratory and clinic should first provide counseling prior to conducting a test.
According to Ministry of Health and Social Welfare records the number of new cases last year reached 581, with 403 new cases of HIV and 178 cases of AIDS.
This was twice the number of infections recorded in 1999 which stood at 225.
In January 2001 alone, the ministry has already recorded 103 new cases of HIV and AIDS.
This brings the total number of recorded HIV and AIDS carriers in Indonesia to 1,727.
Several surveys conducted by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and hospitals suggest that the significant rise is due to an increase in the number of drug addicts and the sharing of needles by intravenous drug users (IDUs).
At least two surveys have indicated that HIV infection rates among IDUs are 15 percent or more.
Many observers have suggested that the official number of those infected is just the tip of the iceberg. The United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has said the number in Indonesia may be as high as 52,000.
Minister Ahmad Suyudi once admitted that data recorded by his office is imprecise because it was primarily based on tests conducted among blood donors and people in the high risk category, such as prostitutes.
Sigit said there are 1.25 million HIV/AIDS tests conducted annually to screen blood.
"Say it costs US$2 for every test; that means that it costs the government some US$2.5 million (to screen blood donors). Imagine if we tested everyone," he remarked. (hdn)