New clinic for venereal diseases

New clinic for venereal diseases

JAKARTA (JP): About 250 people, who have venereal diseases,
were treated en mass at a recently opened clinic in the Kramat
Jaya district of North Jakarta yesterday.

The clinic, which was founded by the Peduli AIDS Institute and
Karya Bakti Foundation, also tested patients' blood for HIV.

Dr. Subagyo Partodihardjo from the foundation was quoted by
the Antara news agency as saying yesterday that the clinic was
scheduled to open 24 hours.

"But for the time being it will only be open for limited
hours. Later it will be open around-the-clock to serve everyone,
especially sex workers."

He said the clinic was established to commemorate World AIDS
Day on Dec. 1.

The clinic provides people with venereal diseases access to
treatment and information, which could keep them avoid
contracting more serious diseases like AIDS.

"People who have unprotected sex are more likely to contract
HIV. That's why they should be informed about related matters,
including sexual behavior and reproduction."

Subagyo said that about 599 people in Indonesia were
reportedly HIV positive. Most of them reside in Jakarta, Bali and
Irian Jaya.

The clinic also offered extensive education and medical
treatment, especially for sex workers, he said.

People's awareness about the dangers of HIV was quite high, he
said.

"People here care about helping people and preventing the
spread of HIV. Many people come and make use of the services
offered by our clinic," he said.

He said the foundation had set up similar clinics in 13
traditional markets throughout Greater Jakarta, including the
Senen market in Central Jakarta and the Jatinegara market in East
Jakarta. (cst)