Strict rules on AIDS needed
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)