"HIV and AIDS are rampant in Indonesia, and we need to join forces to tackle this issue," said Boediono.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s Vice President Boediono has urged firms in the country to support HIV/AIDS programmes by investing in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.

"HIV and AIDS are rampant in Indonesia, and we need to join forces to tackle this issue," said Boediono, during a ceremony to mark the World AIDS Day 2012, at the Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park (TMII) on Tuesday.

The country has so far relied on foreign aid for the implementation of HIV/AIDS programmes.

Close to five percent of Indonesia`s population has HIV/AIDS, and the country has a number of people who are at a risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.

People who are at a risk include commercial sex workers, users of drugs and homosexuals.

The first case of HIV/AIDS emerged in Indonesia in 1987, and since then, the number of HIV/AIDS cases has been on the rise.

Until June 2012, there were 118,865 HIV/AIDS cases, comprising 86,762 HIV cases and 32,103 AIDS cases. For every woman with HIV/AIDS, there were 2.41 men with such diseases.

Boedino said these numbers are not the actual figures, since the actual figures are not known yet.

The theme for this year`s World AIDS Day is "Protect Women and Children from HIV/AIDS".

"Women and children are the focus of this year`s HIV/AIDS campaigns. Importance should be given to women and children because they are more vulnerable than men," said Linda Gumelar, Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Protection.

"Many women are not aware that these diseases affect babies in their wombs," she noted.

Linda said the government and the public must work together to ensure that the women in the country have access to proper healthcare facilities.

"Clinics and hospitals should create awareness of HIV/HIDS, and they should look into the treatment too," she said.

"Children and women in the country have the right to know about sexual and reproductive health," added Linda.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012