Dili, July 11, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The National Institute for Combating AIDS (INCSIDA, Portuguese acronym) continues to conduct awareness-raising sessions, particularly targeting the younger generation, about HIV/AIDS prevention in the Dili Municipality, Dom Aleixo Administrative Post, Comoro Village. The activity took place this Wednesday.
According to Angelica da Costa Soares, National Director for Promotion, Prevention, and Communication, the objective of the National Institute for Combating AIDS (INCSIDA) is to raise public awareness about the risks of HIV/AIDS. She explained that many young people in the country have very limited information, which can lead them to make poor life choices that put them at risk of contracting HIV.
“This awareness activity focuses on the general community so that people can understand whether their lifestyle puts them at risk. They must visit health facilities to get tested in order to know their HIV status. Because if we don’t seek treatment in the hospital, we won’t know if we carry the virus, which could ultimately end our lives,” said Angelica da Costa Soares to journalists.
She added that training will continue, as past information has often been ignored by the community, leading to a lack of concern about the virus. Therefore, the information must be repeated so that people continue to reflect on their behavior and become more aware.
“We urge the community, especially the younger generation who are still in school, to focus on their studies so they can achieve success in the future and later think about starting a family. It’s better to have self-control and avoid engaging in arbitrary sexual relations that could jeopardize your future,” she added.
In the same context, the Chief of Comoro Village, Elijio José Marcal, expressed his pride in INCSIDA’s presence and the information being shared with the community in Comoro, which he hopes will help prevent casual sexual behavior and protect people from HIV. He acknowledged that in Timor-Leste, the virus continues to spread, but through awareness and education, the spread can be reduced at the community level.
“We see that the information INCSIDA is providing here in Comoro is extremely important for our community, especially since health center data shows many young people in Timor-Leste have already been affected by HIV/AIDS. We feel proud of INCSIDA’s presence and believe this will foster better cooperation moving forward,” said Village Chief Elijio José Marcal.
The authorities also called on the younger generation to become more self-aware, warning that while sex may feel good, the virus is deadly and can ruin a young person’s future by taking away everything. Receiving this kind of information should serve as a reminder to avoid engaging in casual sexual relationships.
According to data collected in Dili Municipality through various health centers from January to June 2025, HIV/AIDS cases were recorded as follows: Becora Health Center (20), Comoro Health Center (66), Vera-Cruz Health Center (63), Metinaro Health Center (3), and Formosa Health Center (234). This contributes to a national total of around 2,300 HIV/AIDS cases in Timor-Leste. Therefore, the public, especially the younger generation, is urged to increase self-awareness to avoid casual sex and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Reported by: Nelfiano
Photo by: Nelfiano