Number Of People With HIV/AIDS Increase

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara, April 19 (ANTARA) - The number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara province increased from 334 in February 2012 to 338 in March 2012. "The cases spread in different areas in Kupang. So far, women and teenagers have been the most vulnerable with the HIV/AIDS infection," Secretary of Kupang AIDS Control Commission (KPA) Bastian Benufinit said here on Thursday. He noted that people living with HIV/AIDS have routine check-ups at the clinic and take prescribed medicines. "The government provides four VCT (Voluntary Counseling Test) clinics, but many people who are HIV positive don`t want to go to the clinic because they are worried about having to reveal their identity," he added. The head of Kupang Healthy Agency, Ari Wijana, said the government makes the clinics accessible to the public via health centers (Puskesmas) spread across the city. "We hope we can increase the number of people living with HIV/AIDS," Ari said. According to the Health Ministry, 15,589 new HIV cases were reported from January to September 2011 while new AIDS cases reached 1,805 during that same period.