HIV/AIDS Spreading In RI At Worrying Rate

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The rate at which HIV/AIDS is spreading in Indonesia is becoming increasingly worrying and needs to be reversed through concerted efforts by the government and society, a national AIDS eradication official said.

Citing Health Ministry data, Dr Fonny Silfanus, vice secretary of the National AIDS Eradication Commission (KPAN), said by June 2011, the cumulative number of AIDS sufferers in the country had reached  26,483 and that of new HIV cases 66,693.

"The rate at which the disease is spreading is a matter of increasing concern. The trend must be reversed through the concerted efforts of NGOs, the government and the clergy," she said at the launching of a "Channel of Hope Module" to fight the deadly disease by  World Vision International (WVI) here Wednesday.

WVI's regional manager for Java and Nias, Charles Sinaga, said on the occasion the module was launched as part of WVI's efforts to encourage the handling of the HIV/AIDS problem by the country's clergy.

"The module aims to help the conveyance of the right information on HIV/AIDS to Muslim religious leaders to lessen the stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS," he said.

A representative of the Muslim community, Syahrizal Syarif, an executive of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said he appreciated the WVI's initiative to forge a partnership to combat HIV/AIDS.(IGT)