Dili, January 8, 2026 (Democracia Media) – The National Institute for Combating HIV-AIDS (INCSIDA) conducted an HIV-AIDS awareness and information campaign on sexually transmitted diseases for new students at São José Operario College. The awareness activity was held in the São José Operario hall on Wednesday.
The President of the National Institute for Combating HIV-AIDS, Daniel Marçal, stated that this was INCSIDA’s first activity in January 2026, carried out on 7 January at São José Operario College, aimed at sharing very important information with students on how to prevent HIV transmission in Timor-Leste.
“We know from existing data that many young people are affected by HIV. That is why schools are now very concerned about this disease. Some people think HIV only comes from women or men who behave badly, but through this training we can teach students how to protect themselves from the disease,” said INCSIDA President Daniel Marçal.
He further explained that there are cases where young men, even those who stay mostly at home, engage in risky relationships with women who are already infected with HIV, and later become infected themselves. However, he expressed confidence that through continuous training and awareness programs, communities can open their minds and learn how to protect themselves from risky sexual behavior, thereby preventing HIV infection.
“We all know that HIV is not only transmitted by ‘bad’ women or men, but also by young people who engage in intimate relationships without protection. That is why teachers are very concerned, and why we continue to provide information in many schools, with a strong focus on young people,” he added.
One of the students, Frecia Natalia Urbano, said she was happy to receive and learn new information about HIV, especially because many young people today are affected by the virus and some have lost their lives.
“My thoughts about today’s INCSIDA session are that the information on HIV-AIDS shared with us is very important. As students, it helps increase our knowledge and helps us understand what is good and what is not good for ourselves, so we can protect ourselves from this virus,” said Frecia Natalia Urbano.
She also called on her fellow students and young people across Timor-Leste to protect themselves from various diseases, especially HIV-AIDS, as the virus can take lives.
“Each of us must protect ourselves from different diseases, especially HIV-AIDS. We all know that HIV-AIDS is linked to sexual relations, so young people must avoid free sex. By doing so, we can contribute to the development of Timor-Leste, because we are the new generation of this country,” she emphasized.
The awareness program is part of a preventive strategy to reduce HIV-AIDS transmission in Timor-Leste and aims to raise awareness among all citizens on how to protect themselves from the virus.
Report: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano