Nine sex workers in Batam have AIDS

Nine sex workers in Batam have AIDS

BATAM, Riau: Nine of 5,000 sex workers operating in various
nightspots and red-light districts in Batam are infected with the
lethal AIDS virus, and 61 others are carrying HIV, which can
cause AIDS, a health survey found last year.

The survey was conducted by the health ministry office at the
end of last year.

The head of the health ministry office in Batam, Dr. Mawardi
Badar, said that those infected with AIDS and carrying HIV were
under 35 years old.

Mawardi did not say what the health office had done with the
AIDS and HIV patients to prevent the spread of the lethal
disease.

He only said that the figure was 'terrible', and called on
everyone to be extra careful. He also blamed (illicit) sales of
certain types of psychotropic substances at nightspots, which
could raise libido or sexual desire, stimulating people to have
sex.

Observers believe that the number of sex workers recorded by
the health ministry office was smaller than the actual number
working in Batam.

There are many karaoke halls and massage parlors in Batam
employing at least 100 working girls each, according to a local.
(26/sur)