DILI, 17 january 2022 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste has recorded 1464 cases of HIV infections in 2021, the number rose from the previous cases of 262 in 20211 until today.
The President of Timor-Leste National Commission and Prevention of the HIV/AIDS, Atanasio de Jesus said, Over the same period, the number of annual AIDS-related deaths has increased slightly to 13 in 2021 from 4 in 2011, based on the recently available data of TLNCPHA.
“In july to september (Q3) 2021, Timor-Leste recorded 1464 cases of HIV/AIDS, but the number is even higher as many people don’t know they have it,” the President of TLNCPHA, Atanasio de Jesus told TATOLI, at his office, in Dili, on monday.
De Jesus said young people are the most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS: “Due to Lacking of knowledge and information on HIV/AIDS, making them very vulnerable to get the HIV/AIDS.”
“The data signal that HIV unequivocally still represents a major public health problem in Timor-Leste. TLNCPHA would redouble its efforts to carry out HIV and AIDS Prevention Campaign, targeting young people, high school and university students to combat HIV/AIDS in the community. It’s important to raise the awareness of young people on practicing healthy preventive measures of HIV, such as choosing less risky sexual behaviors, limiting the number of sexual partners, and using condoms whenever having sex,” he said.
De Jesus said currently 1230 Timorese people are living with HIV/AIDS in Timor-Leste, of which 715 were under treatment: “While the rest were lost to follow up by the health professionals. The health professional couldn’t contact them because they change their contact number. These people are having sex with other community members. Thus, despite all efforts that had been made, the number of the cases kept rising every year.”
He emphasized that to combat HIV/AIDS in Timor-Leste, raising the awareness of the communities on eliminating HIV/AIDS must begin in the villages.
He said the numbers of HIV/AIDS are higher in four municipalities including Bobonaro, Dili, Suai, and RAEOA.
“Apart from illegal prostitution activities, the border communities always committed illegal border crossing. These people would keep bringing HIV/AIDS into the country,” De Jesus said.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
