DILI, 10 august 2023 ( TATOLI)– United Nations Population Fund (UNFP) today handed over 70,000 HIV/Syphilis Ab Combo Rapid Test to the Autonomy Health of the Medication and Equipment Service ( SAMES) to support the work of the Ministry of Health.
“UNFPA, handed over 70.000 syphilis and HIV combo rapid test kits to the Ministry of Health through SAMES to perform qualitative analysis by detecting HIV and Syphilis (Treponema pallidum) specific antibodies in serum, plasma, and whole blood. We believe, that these kids will help boost the testing capacity of implemented HIV prevention program for key populations in Díli and the other municipalities, as well as to ensure blood safety, and screen pregnant women during Antenatal Care visits”” Representative of UNFPA Pressia Arifin Cabo told reporters in the Office of SAMES Kampung Alor Dili on thursday.
UNFP particularly appreciates the efforts made by the MoH towards the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis, and hopes these tests can be utilized to further strengthen those efforts, in line with the existing Ante Natal Care (ANC) protocols.
” We hope these kits will also support the Ministry of Health to continue creating demand for all to access HIV and syphilis testing, voluntarily, stigma-free, and as part of anyone’s health check-up routine,” she explained.
With the number of HIV and syphilis cases going up in Timor-Leste, across all population strata, efforts to prevent and eliminate transmission of HIV and other diseases have also to be anchored in a strong condom programming: “Male and female condoms are a critical component in a comprehensive and sustainable approach to the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections,”
“We are also happy to be supporting the MoH in this area. UNFPA remains committed to working closely and supporting the MoH, particularly the maternal and child health, family planning, and HIV prevention programs, towards the realization of the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of all Timorese,” She said.
At the same place the Director of SAMES Santana Martins, on behalf of the Ministry of Health thanked the UN FPA for the support.
” These kits will be distributed to the hospital at the municipalities,”
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
