Dili, August 22, 2026 (Media Democracia) – Students from the Faculty of Economics and Management, National University of Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL), consider awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention and transmission very important, especially for young people as the future of the nation, and urge youth to increase their knowledge and take care of themselves against various disease risks, including HIV/AIDS.
Representative of the students from the Faculty of Economics and Management, National University of Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL), Fanesia da Costa Soares, said that the awareness campaign conducted by the National Institute for Combating HIV/AIDS (INSCIDA) is very important for students, especially young people, to increase knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention and transmission.
“I, as a student from the Faculty of Economics and Management, feel very proud to receive training like this. Training like this is very important, especially for us young people, because many young people now like to live freely.” said Fanesia da Costa Soares to journalists after participating in the awareness activity on HIV Virus transmission, at the INSCIDA compound, Thursday (20/08).
She said that after receiving training on the impact and prevention of HIV Virus transmission, students will make an effort to share this knowledge with friends, family, and communities who still don’t know much about HIV/AIDS.
“I will share it again with my friends and family, and at school I will also share with friends who didn’t participate in this activity. Because of that, I ask young people to protect themselves from free sexual relations and relationships with people who could put us at risk, because our future is in our own hands.” she said.
In the same place, President of the National Institute for Combating HIV/AIDS (INSCIDA), Daniel Marçal, said that young people are the future of the nation. Therefore, elders and adults who are now working to develop the nation must make efforts to prepare a good future for the younger generation.
“Right now our young people are entering areas that put their lives at risk, for example living freely. Today when I spoke, some of them even cried, because they have just become aware that, it is true, many things can put our lives at risk.” said Daniel Marçal.
He said that because some young people still don’t take good care of themselves, INSCIDA continues to make efforts in the areas of education and awareness, including with relevant parties, to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention.
“INSCIDA has made strong efforts in the area of education with relevant parties. What is education for? It is to include this subject in the curriculum, starting from basic and secondary education up to university. From what we see, the situation in Timor-Leste needs us to remind our people every day, because free sexual relations can bring risks, and often individuals themselves cannot resist, but need others to remind them.” he said.
Daniel also stated that the role of parents is very important in the education process for young people, especially in terms of morals and behavior.
“On the other hand, regarding morals, we coordinate with religious leaders to also address important moral matters, because these behaviors can cause HIV Virus transmission and other problems, including reproductive health.” he said.
Meanwhile, representative of the Ministry of Health, Director of the Office of Ethics, Deontology and Health Quality Assurance, Marta Abenia Santos, stated that according to the Ministry of Health’s epidemiological data, HIV cases continue to increase every year.
“The Ministry of Health is working, but the cases are still rising. We all know that HIV is a disease caused by a virus. This virus doesn’t just come down from there and enter a person, but transmission is related to each person’s attitudes and lifestyle.” said Marta Abenia Santos.
She said that to prevent HIV transmission, individual awareness is needed, because health is not only the responsibility of doctors, nurses, or the Ministry of Health, but the responsibility of everyone.
“According to the cumulative data from the Ministry of Health through the General Directorate of Primary Health Care, in the Disease Control Department, a total of 2,712 HIV cases have been identified. This data covers from 2003 to 2026. Of this total, 431 people have lost their lives due to the HIV virus, 343 people have dropped out or been lost from treatment, 1,510 people are currently undergoing treatment, and 62 people have transferred abroad.” she said.
She said that the Ministry of Health together with INSCIDA will continue to look for and find people who have dropped out of treatment, in order to prevent HIV transmission from continuing.
Marta also stated that HIV data needs to be reported accurately, because the increase in HIV cases can affect public health programs in Timor-Leste.
“We present the data from the Ministry of Health truthfully, it cannot be increased, because HIV disease cases are starting to be recorded as high in the nation of Timor-Leste and greatly affect public health programs. Because of that, the Ministry of Health through the National HIV/AIDS Program has developed strategies and plans to address the cases that increase every year.” she said.
According to Ministry of Health data, of the total cumulative cases of 2,712, Dili Municipality has the highest number of cases, with 1,988 people, followed by Bobonaro, Oe-Cusse, and Covalima. Dili, as the capital of Timor-Leste, receives many people from other municipalities who come looking for opportunities for life and work.
Thus, the Ministry of Health has a strategy for the period 2022–2026, whose first pillar focuses on minimizing HIV transmission and risk, especially through awareness for young people on how to protect themselves.
According to the Ministry of Health, health facilities, including health centers and referral hospitals, already provide HIV testing and treatment services. In addition, the Ministry of Health has also prepared health professionals who are trained to conduct blood tests and provide treatment to those in need.
The awareness activity was attended by 200 students from the Faculty of Economics and Management, National University of Timor Lorosa’e,
Reporting: Tomás Dos Santos
Photo: Nelson Ferreira