Other Publications
People with HIV/AIDS neglected in Banyumas
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 08/10/2007 1:01 PM
PURWOKERTO, Central Java: At least 151 people living with HIV/AIDS in Banyumas regency, Central Java, are not receiving the necessary treatment from the local health office.
""This is very risky. The number of HIV/AIDS cases in Banyumas is rising monthly and nothing is being done about it. Red-light areas are free to operate, while the treatment for sex workers and patients is ineffective,"" HIV/AIDS activist Bangkit, 30, said after a meeting with health officials, activists and journalists in Purwokerto on Thursday.
""We often bring patients to the HIV/AIDS clinic set up by the health office, but most of the time it is unmanned or we are told they are out of medicine,"" said Bangkit.
He said Banyumas now had the second highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the province, after the capital Semarang.
He said the number of HIV/AIDS patients continued to rise because of the presence of a major red-light area in the resort town of Baturaden.
""There are around 200 sex workers there. Many young people between the ages of 17 and 25 are infected with HIV but have not been provided with counseling or medicine. The local administration doesn't want to legalize the area, but still allows it to operate. This is a big problem,"" said Bangkit. -- JP
What's On
- Festival of India
10/29/2009 12/15/2009 Balai Kartini & Umar Ismail Hall, Jakarta
- Imagemakers of the Future: Photography exhibition
10/10/2009 11/30/2009 Alila Ubud Desa Melinggih Kelod Payangan, Gianyar 80572, Bali - Timeless Change
11/05/2009 12/07/2009 Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Hotel Jimbaran, Bali. - Choreography of Colours; Sardono W. Kusumo's first solo painting exhibition
11/12/2009 12/12/2009 vivi yip art room Annexe Ciputra World Marketing Gallery Jalan Prof Satrio Kav 11, Casablanca