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)