DILI, 09 august 2021 (TATOLI) – Health Authority of the HIV/AIDS Unit under the Department of communicable diseases of the Ministry of Health informed that 96 new HIV infections were recorded in the second quarter of 2021 compared to more than 200 cases detected in each quarter of 2020.
“Statistically, in the last three months, 96 new HIV infections were recorded, which means cases were dropped. But, I can say that if we do more tests then more cases will be detected, as lots of undetected cases are still out there,” Bernardino da Cruz, Chief of the HIV/AIDS Unit of the Department of communicable diseases of the Ministry of Health, told TATOLI, at his office, in Lahane-Dili, today.
Cruz said since 2003 the Ministry of Health had recorded 1408 infections: “So far, 157 patients were died during treatment, while 70 others died after lost to follow up.”
He said currently 684 patients with HIV are having treatment, including 32 patients who are under treatment abroad.
Cruz informed that five programs pillars of the Ministry of Health have been implemented to combat HIV/AIDS in the country.
“There are five essential components/pillars that have been implemented to combat HIV/AIDS in Timor-Leste – Prevention, Diagnose, Treatment, Eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, and HIV Stigma and Discrimination,” affirmed Cruz.
He added so far the Ministry of Health had received more than US$ 3 million from the Global Fund to combat HIV in Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
