The Courage to Care

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Papua is listed as the province with the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the country. According to the latest data, about 134,55 per 100,000 of its population suffer from this fatal disease. The numbers in Papua are 14 times higher than the national average. Understandably, some feel quite hopeless about this condition. But one special hospice in Jayapura has given a bit of hope to the patients staying there. In that hospice, they are given hope, although some may not survive, but for the short time left in their lives they receive the utmost comfort and solace. Two weeks ago, correspondent Eka Nickmatulhuda spent time at the Surya Kasih Hospice in Jayapura and wrote a special report for Tempo English Edition.

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Osil barked merrily to greet three church activists who arrived on a Tuesday afternoon, about two weeks ago. The small dog followed them happily, as they climbed towards Surya Kasih Hospice. Situated on a hilly slope, not far from the main road of Waena, Jayapura, the small hospice-home-care facility-cares for several patients in the advanced stages of HIV/AIDS.

In their routine visit, the three guests gave the patients motivation as well as inspir

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