Founders of a newly established group of people living with HIV/AIDS have called the Indonesian society to address the HIV/AIDS problem in the country.
"AIDS is not only a health problem. It has become a social and cultural issue because of the stigma and discrimination against infected people," the Jakarta Post daily Saturday quoted AIDS activist Iman Permana as saying.
The Indonesian Network of People Living with HIV (JOTHI) was established on July 9 with the aim of upholding the rights of infected people.
"We want to be more than just a symbol in a counseling or discussion session on HIV/AIDS. We want to be involved to fulfill our rights as human beings," he said.
Fonny Silfanus, deputy program director of the National Commission on HIV/AIDS said that Indonesian Health Ministry conducted more campaigns and provided a universal precaution guide against HIV/AIDS.
Between January and March 2008, there were 64 new cases of HIV infection and 727 new cases of AIDS infection. Of the 791 patients,121 have since died.
Source: Xinhua
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