Top doctor questions state anti-AIDS drive
Top doctor questions state anti-AIDS drive
JAKARTA (JP): A top doctor yesterday questioned the government's commitment in its campaign to prevent the spread of AIDS, as 12 more people tested positive for the virus in January, bringing the countrywide total to 376.
Kartono Mohamad, vice chairman of the Indonesian AIDS Foundation, said the government has not made serious efforts to stop the spread of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
The steady increase in the number of HIV-positive people over the past year reflects this lack of seriousness, he told The Jakarta Post.
In comparison, in many other countries the number of people with AIDS and HIV has decreased, he said.
"Non-governmental organizations have been more active in the campaign compared to what the government has been doing," he said.
The government's involvement can only be viewed as a national strategy, he said, adding "But, we don't see the government implementing the strategy in the field."
What is lacking most is the government's "political will" in making the anti-AIDS campaign a strong national issue, he said.
He speculated that the government has been downplaying its role for fear that a vigorous campaign would send a signal to the public that the AIDS danger in Indonesia has reached an alarming level.
"The government has concerns that a full-fledged campaign against HIV/AIDS will ruin its public image," he said.
"Yet, this is precisely what the government should do, it should raise the alarm about the dangers of AIDS," he said.
Kartono also pointed out that the government is reluctant to endorse the promotion of condoms because of strong objections from religious leaders.
The government has ruled out the promotion of condoms in its anti-AIDS drive, saying that it would give the impression that it condones prostitution and extramarital sex.
"The AIDS problem in Indonesia is serious. We don't want to wait until it's too late like in Thailand," Kartono said.
Besides, the number of people reported to have the virus may be low, but the actual number could be much higher, he added.
The Ministry of Health yesterday said that in January there were 11 new HIV-positive cases and one person with full-blown AIDS.
Nine of the HIV cases were residents of Jakarta, one of East Java and one of East Kalimantan. The person found with full-blown AIDS was an East Java resident.
The national total now comprises 88 people with AIDS -- 56 of whom have died, and 288 HIV-positive people.
Jakarta still tops the list with 134 HIV and AIDS cases, Irian Jaya with 96 cases, Bali and East Java each with 33 cases and Riau with 29 cases. (31)