'People with HIV should get help'

'People with HIV should get help'

Studies have shown that injecting drug users are vulnerable to
HIV/AIDS, as they frequently share needles with other junkies.
Official data estimates that Indonesia is home to about 130,000
people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). In commemoration of World
AIDS Day, which falls on Dec. 1, The Jakarta Post talked to
residents on their thoughts about the issue.

Dwi Anggraini, 36, teaches at an English language school in
Serpong, Tangerang, where she also lives with her husband and two
sons:

I cannot imagine if my relatives contracted HIV/AIDS. It would
be horrible, because as far as I know, there is no cure for this.
It must be difficult to face such a situation. The only advice I
might be able to offer them is that they pray.

I believe that prevention is better than treatment... I would
tell my family and relatives to stay away from any activities
that could lead to contracting HIV, such as using drugs.

The government must provide assistance for PLWHA. It must
provide medication, particularly for poor people.

Yanti, 25, works at a consultancy in Central Jakarta. She
lives in a boarding house in Setiabudi, South Jakarta:

I have a friend who has been living with HIV/AIDS for almost
three years. I feel very sorry for him, because his wife died two
years ago from the same disease. Luckily, their only child does
not have HIV/AIDS.

As a friend, I try to cheer him up and keep him company as
before. His condition remains stable, but I know that his days
are numbered. He can die anytime.

He has survived until now because his family is wealthy, and
has been able to support his treatment.

I can't imagine what would happen if his family got bankrupt
and his supply of medication stopped.

-- The Jakarta Post