Over 1,700 living with HIV/AIDS

Over 1,700 living with HIV/AIDS

JAYAPURA, Papua: The number of people living with HIV/AIDS has
reached an alarming level in the nation's easternmost province of
Papua.

As of Dec. 31, 1,749 people have been recorded as HIV
positive, 696 of whom have developed AIDS.

Of those 696 people, 232 have died of an AIDS-defining
illness, according to the Papua Health Office.

Samuel Baso, a doctor at a Jayapura state hospital, said the
government would continue with its campaign to raise people's
awareness of the epidemic. -- JP