Dili, 03 March 2026 (Média Democracia) – National Institute to Combat HIV-AIDS conducted the first information sensitization for 2026 on the transformation of the HIV-AIDS virus and how to combat and prevent HIV-AIDS for communities in Palaca Hamlet, Sanirin Village, Balibó Administrative Post, Bobonaro Municipality.
The Information sensitization aims to provide knowledge about HIV symptons and encourage communities to visit Health Centers for blood test, while motivating them to abstain from free sex and promiscuity.
Sanirin Village Chief, Francisco dos Reis Tavares, said he appreciates the precense of the National Institute Combate HIV-AIDS (INCSIDA), as it allows them to share information with the community, and considers the information provided to be very important in combating the disease.
“Today is very important to share information about HIV-AIDS, because as authorities, we want to combat this in our community in the village, since we’re near the border, and this is linked to the border. So, it’s necessary to share information with our communities so they can take prevention measures againts HIV-AIDS, especially our young women and men who are present here today. They should take this to heart and be careful so they can’t spread it anymore.” Said Sanirin village Chief, Francisco to journalists in Palaca Hamlet on Monaday (02/03/2026)
He added that as an authority, through this information, he hopes to combat the disease, since its contagiuos, and he doesn’t want it to happen in, their own village.
Through this information sensitization, the communities can share the information with those who weren’t present, so they also understand what HIV-AIDS is, because it has entered our lives.
On the other hand, the President of the Bobonaro Municipality Authority, represented by the secretary of administration and finance, Domingos Da Costa, stated that HIV-AIDS is not new disease in Bobonaro Municipality, as there have been previuos reports of some communities being affected by it.
“Years ago, there were already reports that some communities in Bobonaro Municipality were affected by HIV-AIDS. As an authority, I request that these activities shouldn’t be limited to batugede, but should also be socialized in Cova Malianana Memo, and even up to Saburai village.” Said Domingos, Secretary of Administration and Finance for Bobonaro Municipality
He also requested INCSIDIA to continue socializing in the village near the border area between Timor-Leste and Indonesia, as the disease might already be present but hasn’t been detected through blood test yet.
He informed that according to data from the Ministry of Health, a total of 130 citizens in Bobonaro Municipality are affected by HIV-AIDS.
“Those affected by the disease come to the health post to get tested, but there are still some we don’t know about. But I believe that throigh these socializations and disseminations more people will get tested in future.” Informed Domingos, Secretary of Administration and Finance for Bobonaro Municipality
He expects that when everyone gets tested, the number of affected people, currently at 130 might increase.
On this occasion, the President of the National Institute HIV-AIDS (INCSIDA), Daniel Marçal, also thanked the Municipal Authority and Village Authority for their willingness and concern for the community’s health regarding HIV-AIDS transmission.
“Like today, 130 people got tested, but those who didn’t get tested- it’s like comparing 10 to 100-the 130 could easily be over a thousand, it means the virus is already in people’s bodies, they just don’t know because they didn’t get tested.” Said INCSIDA President Daniel Marçal.
The INCSIDA President stated that if the HIV-AIDS numbers increase, it will be a burden for the municipal authorities because the treatment for these patients requires countious recovery. This means that in a year or two, Bobonaro will have more victims. When HIV victims increase, it’s a weight or burden for the municipal authority because treatment for those with HIV-AIDS isn’t just to get a cure.
INCSIDA thanks the authorities for being very concerned about their communities. Even though many people are affected by HIV, everyone should fight together so that HIV doesn’t progress to AIDS.
“Today, the health team came to do blood tests, so we can identify HIV early and intervene with ARV treatment, allowing people to live with HIV for a long time and do normal activities like others.” Stated INCSIDA President Daniel Marçal
Meanwhile, in this sensitization activity, there was precense from the Balibó Post Health Team and Bobonaro Municipality Health Service, who conducted blood tests for the communities in Sanirin Village to identify those affected by HIV, so they can get immediate treatment and prevent progression to AIDS.
While, Sanirin village has a total of 652 heads of families with a total population of 2,226, belonging to the Balibo Administrative Post, Bobonaro Municipality.
Reporting : Estefania
Photo : Estefania