DENPASAR, INDONESIA: Bali province should prioritise the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and lung tuberculosis (TB) patients, as the serious diseases in Bali have reached alarming levels, Antara news agency reported.

"The increase in the prevalance of these diseases was caused by the frequent and repeated use of hypodermic syringes by the addicts," the Bali provincial legislative council's commission III chairman Drs. Wayan Gunawan, said here Sunday (16 Nov).

As many as 4,041 people are infected with HIV, the local health agency said.

Beside immune deficiency illness, some 1,343 people infected with TB were also found.

"The increasing number of TB cases is related to the rise of HIV/AIDS carriers, because TB infects 50% of people who suffer immuno deficiency," said Gunawan, who is also a spokesman for the Golkar Party.

Both the diseases are very dangerous, besides spreading viruses, they also make the sufferers unproductive because they are unable to do activities to a maximum.

"The Golkar faction welcomes the Bali administration's efforts to prevent and eradicate the dangerous diseases," Gunawan said.

Bali governor Made Pangku Pastika on a separate occasion said that Bali HIV/AIDS carriers are on fifth position in the country with 2,323 cases until 2008 September, after Jakarta, West Java, Papua and East Java.

Based on the Bali Aids Eradication Commission (KPA), the immuno deficiency disease has killed 185 people.

Denpasar is on top position with 1,117 cases followed by Buleleng 443 cases, and Badung 434 cases.

About 59.75% of unsafe sexual intercourses caused the illness, then syringes used by drug junkies reached 29.19%, 5.9% of homosexual, perinatal 1.46% and others 3.75% are unknown.

The disease of HIV/AIDS in Bali has reached an alarming level, some 2,112 cases were reported in May 2008, an increased of 276 people or 15.03% from January-May 2008 period. (Bernama)