RI gets $30m to combat AIDS

RI gets $30m to combat AIDS

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will obtain $30 million (Rp 65
billion) from the United Nation for Population Activities (UNFPA)
to help combat the rapid spread of AIDS in the country, a cabinet
minister says.

The assistance will go towards making the government-sponsored
campaign a success. The campaign is aimed at making families
aware of the danger of the deadly Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome.

Haryono Suyono, State Minister for Population Affairs/Chairman
of the National Family Planning Board said on Thursday that UNFPA
has committed to providing assistance for a five year program.

According to official statistics, the number of Indonesian
infected by the incurable AIDS has reached 288, but health
officials believe that the actual number is a lot higher.

The campaign is held in cooperation with the Ministry of
Tourism, Post, and Telecommunication, which has helped open a
hot-line for information on AIDS and the Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV) which causes the disease.

The ministry has also sent millions of leaflets calling
families to be aware of the dangers of the disease. (29)