Dili, October 24, 2025 (Media Democracia) – The National Institute for Combating HIV/AIDS (INCSIDA I.P), together with its partners, carried out an awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS for the residents of Manleuana Village, Dom Aleixo Administrative Post, Dili Municipality, as part of preventive efforts against HIV/AIDS. The awareness session took place this week in Manleuana Village.
President of the National Institute for Combating HIV/AIDS (INCSIDA I.P), Daniel Marçal, stated that there should be no excessive concern regarding the current rise in HIV cases, as many people are now voluntarily taking blood tests. Through these tests, HIV cases can be identified early, allowing prevention and avoiding the progression to AIDS, which remains difficult to cure.
“We should not be overly alarmed by rising numbers. It is better to intervene quickly to prevent AIDS from spreading further. Through awareness, more people are now conscious, we no longer force them like before. In the past, people hid and were afraid to get tested because of the stigma. Now, thanks to our collective efforts, people voluntarily get tested, and this allows early identification,” said INCSIDA President Daniel Marçal.
The President added that INCSIDA’s current efforts focus on raising community awareness to eliminate harmful behaviors that facilitate HIV transmission, and to promote positive behaviors that protect people from HIV/AIDS.
Nurse Representative, Jennifer N.G. Ximenes, provided data recorded by the Ministry of Health from five health centers and one clinic in Dili Municipality: a total of 808 registered HIV patients, of whom 32 have died. These numbers do not include patients from the National Hospital and Bairo Pite Health Center.
“From Comoro Health Center, there are 83 patients, 56 on active treatment, 15 transferred, and 3 deceased. From Farmosa, there are 600 patients, 419 active, 133 dropouts, and 29 passed away. Vera Cruz has 88 patients, 70 in active treatment. Metinaru Health Center has 3 patients, Becora Health Center 22 patients, 10 on treatment, and Motael Clinic has 12 patients, 4 on treatment,” explained Nurse Representative Jennifer N.G. Ximenes.
She clarified that the above data does not include cases from Bairo Pite Clinic and HNGV. From the cumulative number of 808, there are 56 active patients under treatment and 161 no longer in treatment, while 85 have been transferred out.
The awareness session, which focused on methods of preventing HIV/AIDS transmission, was attended by local authorities and more than two hundred community members at the Manleuana Village Hall in Dili.
Reporter: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano