Strict rules on AIDS needed

JAKARTA (JP): In the wake of a scandal involving a private hospital's refusal to treat AIDS patients, the Forum for HIV/AIDS Awareness is calling on the government to veraciously pursue and implement regulations against such discrimination.

The forum urged the government yesterday to "uphold and monitor the relevant regulations to avoid all forms of discrimination against people with AIDS and their families."

The Forum, which is comprised of no less than 13 government and non-governmental foundations and institutions along with other notable figures, also called on those in the health profession to set an example in circumventing discrimination against AIDS sufferers.

A scandal erupted recently when the privately owned Medistra Hospital suggested to families of AIDS patients in the hospital that they move to another hospital.

Medistra's suggestions prompted a strong warning from the ministry of health, forcing the hospital to re-evaluate their policy.

In their statement the forum noted that the incident proves the need to heighten AIDS awareness in the community. "The end of the Medistra Hospital case provides a worthy lesson and heightens awareness of HIV/AIDS," it said.

A member of the Forum, Harry Purnama, noted that the Medistra affair should be a point of reflection for all.

"HIV/AIDS cases will continue to increase, thus the war against the disease becomes just as important as the war against mental attitudes which are uneducated, irrational and inhumane," Harry said.

The first case in Indonesia was reported in Bali in 1987. The current official figures put the number of HIV and AIDS sufferers at 316, in 15 of the country's 27 provinces.

Out of this official number, 77 are reportedly full-blown AIDS cases of which at least 50 have died.

Despite the rather low numbers, experts here estimated that the actual number of those with the disease is up to 200 times larger that officially announced.

The Forum for HIV/AIDS Awareness is urging all government and private institutions to establish a public health policy to prevent discrimination against AIDS victims. (mds)