DILI, 08 january 2023 (TATOLI) – Since 2003, Timor-Leste has registered more than 2,000 cases of HIV/AIDS, with 1,065 of those who are HIV-positive undergoing treatment, 577 have abandoned it, 200 have died and around 160 have lost contact.
The rising cases of HIV/AIDS concerned religious leaders and parliament.
To address the issue, the President of the National Parliament, Maria Fernanda Lay, met with Cardinal Dom Virgílio do Carmo da Silva in Dili to discuss strategies and a plan to prevent and combat the disease in the country.
“During the meeting, we discussed various issues concerning the future of our young people. In addition, we discussed prostitution, newborn abandonment, violence against LGBT people, the increase in the number of AIDS cases, unprotected sex, and the frequent exchange of partners. These are global problems. That’s why we want to create strategies to prevent and control HIV/AIDS in the country,” said Fernanda Lay, after the meeting with Cardinal Dom Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, in Dili.
Lay expressed her concern about newborn abandonment in the country in recent years, saying that it was important for the National Parliament to work in partnership with the Catholic Church to combat and control HIV/AIDS in order to protect the Timorese, especially young people.
Cardinal Silva emphasized that the church is ready to cooperate with the National Parliament to find solutions to help improve public health and protect Timor-Leste from the disease.
So far, Timor-Leste National HIV-AIDS Institute (INCSIDA) has registered 15 pregnant women infected with HIV/AIDS and also 57 children under the age of five who contracted the virus from their mothers.
Journalist: Domingos Piadade
Translation: Camilio de Sousa
