HIV/AIDS Cases Growing In Kupang

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara, Aug 29 (ANTARA) - The number of HIV/AIDs cases has continued to increase in the city of Kupang in the past 13 years reaching 362 cases by July this year. "There are 24 new cases in four months from 338 by the end of March this year," Bastian Benufinit, the secretary of AIDs Control Commission of Kupung, said. The 362 cases recorded in July included 270 HIV cases and 92 AIDs cases, Bastian said here on Wednesday. "The cases were found in the entire 51 kelurahans (lowest government administration) of the city," he said. Men made up most or 221 of the carriers of the deadly disease with women totaling 141 , he said. So far only 96 of the carriers of the disease have been treated with anti retroviral (ARV) from VCT clinics offering HIV/AIDs treatment available in the city, he said. Not all of the patients are treated with the ARV medicines, he said, adding only those already in "critical" condition are given the medicine. The condition in Kupang was alarming as the number of cases is growing from time to time. The regional administration has continued efforts to protect the people from the disease through promotion of ways to maintain healthy life, he said. People vulnerable to the disease are called on to routinely checks at VCT clinics as a preventive measure, he said. He said there are four VCT clinics in Kupang set up to prevent the spread of the disease , adding the clinics offer free service and confidential. The clinics are opened at the hospitals of RSU WZ Johannes Kupang, RS Bhayangkara and RS Tentara Wirasakti, and at Yayasan Peduli HIV/Aids Tanpa Batas Kupang. Head of the health service in Kupang, dr Ary Wijana, said the city administration plans to open VCT diagnostic service units closer to the people through health centers. "But most important is that the people are aware of the danger they are facing when they underestimate the fatal attack of the disease," dr Ary said.