Number of AIDS cases rises in Kalimantan

Number of AIDS cases rises in Kalimantan

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Ninety-five people were infected
with HIV/AIDS in East Kalimantan province last year, with two of
these people dying, a government official said on Saturday.

"The figure is alarming. The number of people infected with
the disease last year was much higher than the number of people
infected a year earlier," said Nusyirwan Ismail, an official in
the Development and Welfare Office of the East Kalimantan
provincial government.

He said that in 2002, 38 people were infected with HIV/AIDS.
The number of fatalities in 2002 is not known.

He raised concern that the number of infections could continue
to rise in 2004.

He said on Saturday that most of those infected were IV drug
users and people who had unprotected sex with prostitutes.

Sugiyanto, an official in the provincial health office, said
his office would intensify its HIV/AIDS prevention campaign,
including promoting the use of condoms. -- JP