Ainaro, July 22, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The National Institute for Combating HIV-AIDS (INSCIDA) continues their awareness campaigns on HIV-AIDS in the community of Aituto Village, Maubisse Administrative Post, Ainaro Municipality, focusing on the transmission of HIV-AIDS, which continues to rise in Timor-Leste. This activity was held on Monday in Ainaro Municipality.
According to Daniel Marçal, President of INSCIDA, HIV-AIDS remains a major challenge to national development because it poses a serious threat to people’s lives.
“HIV-AIDS is a major challenge to people’s lives. In Timor-Leste, there are already more than 1,300 cases reported by the Ministry of Health (MS). If these are only the cases transmitted through sexual relations, which means the actual number could be much higher, as the virus spreads rapidly through sexual contact. Therefore, it is essential to conduct awareness programs in communities so that people can identify the disease and get tested. In Timor-Leste, many people live with HIV, while fewer cases have progressed to AIDS. That’s why all services are working to raise awareness in society about how to prevent this disease,” said INSCIDA President Daniel Marçal in Aituto Village, Administrative Post of Maubisse, Ainaro Municipality.
He further explained that the awareness campaign in Ainaro Municipality is being held because 39 cases of HIV-AIDS have already been identified in the community. However, the number could be higher, especially among those infected through blood transmission.
“The awareness campaign in Ainaro Municipality is being held because we have already identified 39 cases of HIV-AIDS in the community. This number may be higher, particularly if transmitted through blood. But if it spreads through sexual relations, the number could exceed 1,300 cases. One of the big challenges is the supply of antiretroviral (ARV) medication, which is subsidized by international donors, especially the Global Fund. If Timor-Leste no longer receives these medicine subsidies, it will be very difficult for people living with HIV-AIDS,” explained INSCIDA President Daniel Marçal.
On another note, the Local Authority of Aituto Village, Gregorio L. Pereira, stated that today’s awareness program in the village is extremely important, as it helps the community understand how to protect themselves from HIV-AIDS.
“I want to thank the National Institute for Combating HIV-AIDS for organizing this awareness session in Aituto Village and for educating young people so they can protect themselves from the disease and maintain good health. I also urge the community to take advantage of this opportunity and participate actively in the seminar to hear the information shared by INSCIDA so that in the future, we can protect ourselves from HIV-AIDS in Timor-Leste,” said Local Authority of Aituto Village, Gregorio L. Pereira.
He also emphasized the importance of Village Councils listening to this information and sharing it with the community, including parents and young people, so that they can better understand the situation regarding HIV-AIDS and take steps to protect and prevent themselves from the disease, which is a serious threat to human life.
Reported by: Tomás dos Santos
Photo by: Tomás dos Santos