More HIV/AIDS counseling required: Experts

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)