More students join anti-AIDS campaign
JAKARTA (JP): More than forty students of the private Indonesian Christian University (UKI) completed yesterday a two- day training course on AIDS awareness.
They will join thousand of students from other universities, as well as high schools, in holding regular anti-AIDS campaigns, aimed at preventing the spread of the disease.
Several doctors and anti-AIDS activists delivered speeches and held discussions with the participants of the course. The activists are Nafsiah Mboy, Sarsanto Wibisono, Irwanto, Irwan Julianato, Merry Sibarani, Maruli Simanjuntak, Tua Purba, Paul Matulesy, Jurie Luhulima, Jerry Lohy and Harry Purnama.
The university students have set up an anti-AIDS association, called the UKI Students Committee for AIDS Awareness. The committee is planning to hold anti-AIDS campaigns involving more than 2,000 new students of the university. They also plan to publish a monthly bulletin to disseminate information on the danger of AIDS.
So far, doctors and other medical experts have not found a cure for sufferers of the disease, which is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
"However, the disease is preventable," Harry Purnama, an anti- AIDS activist, said.
Purnama explained that AIDS is not considered a disease of foreigners any more. It spreads very rapidly within the Indonesian population, young and adult.
"Facts and figures warrant us to act right now, to combat the spread of the disease," he said.
Recent official data shows that, at this time, there are 312 people infected with HIV and AIDS in Indonesia. Among the patients, 54 percent of them are young people aged between 15 and 29 years.
For that reason, anti-AIDS associations, especially non- governmental organizations (NGO), focus their campaigns on young people. The other reason is the fact that Indonesia's youth is not usually given information, or formal education, on sex at school or university. Also, the government does not have a specific program on anti-AIDS campaigns involving young people.
The Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association, an NGO that has chosen the anti-AIDS campaign as one of its activities, challenges adolescents, adults, doctors, paramedics, hospitals, public health advocates, parents and family members to recognize and accept global and human responsibility for the prevention of HIV and AIDS.
The way to prevent it is actually very simple, a statement made available to The Jakarta Post declares. Attitude and discipline are the problem. No scientific knowledge is required, or medical education is attached.
It proposes six ways to help prevent HIV/AIDS. First, hold fast to our faith in and love of God.
Second, avoid sexual relations before marriage and avoid having multiple partners.
Third, if you have sex, use a condom.
Fourth, do not share needles.
Fifth, combat discrimination against all AIDS prevention and treatment related efforts, in any place and in any time.
Lastly, care, pray for and love our bothers and sisters who are infected by HIV.(29)