Prevention manager of Asuhan Bunda Counseling Foundation (YPAB) at the Budi Kemuliaan Hospital, Francisca L. Tanzil, told The Jakarta Post on Friday that the first case of HIV/AIDS in a child under the age of five in Batam was reported in 2003.

HIV/AIDS was first detected in Batam in 1994. The number of children with the disease has gradually risen.

This is shown by data from the YPAB on the steady increase in the number of people accessing HIV/AIDS counseling in Batam.

In 2005 1,269 clients participated in counseling and 1,164 of these agreed to have blood tests. Results showed that 137 were diagnosed with HIV, while 36 adults and four infants had AIDS.

In 2006, 1,351 out of 1,388 counseling participants underwent tests, of which 193 were diagnosed with HIV and 45 adults and nine infants had AIDS.

In 2007, 1,448 out of 1,506 participants voluntarily had tests, 193 were diagnosed with HIV and 57 adults and four children were confirmed as having AIDS.

"Since the available data represents the tip of the iceberg, the number diagnosed probably does not reflect the much larger number to be found in the population," said Francisca, a doctor treating HIV/AIDS patients in Batam.

Riau Islands ranks as one of the highest among Indonesian provinces in terms of HIV/AIDS infection spread through sexual contact rather than through sharing of needles by drug addicts, she said.

"Most infants with HIV/AIDS in Batam die because of their parents' promiscuous lifestyle along with ineffective prevention of the disease by the local administration," Francisca said.

She said it was clear that the local authorities still regarded the problem as minor, evidenced by poorly coordinated and ineffective efforts on awareness and treatment.

Riau Islands Health Office head Munzir Purba said the local administration had carried out adequate public awareness campaigns on the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the province.

Data at the health office shows that Batam ranks top in the number of HIV/AIDS cases compared to five other regencies and cities in the province.

"This is due to the huge number of sex workers operating in Batam. We have campaigned on the use of condoms in various red-light districts in Batam in order to reduce the number of HIV/AIDS-related cases," Munzir said.

Source : The Jakarta Post