More students join anti-AIDS campaign
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)