Brunei Darussalam is one of the countries with a low rate of HIV infections. However, for the past few years, the rate of cases has increased more than the previous years. This is due to the increasing public awareness of HIV and its detection with more high risk individuals coming forward to undergo testing and obtaining information on prevention methods. In the message in conjunction with World Aids Day celebration, the Minister of Health stressed that the Ministry of Health is highly committed and will continue to ensure those with high risk and affected by HIV will obtain quality and equal services without stigma and prejudice.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar explained that the first HIV case reported was in 1986. As of December 2021, 374 cases were reported and 74 of them have passed away. Since the Aids epidemic first received global attention in 1981, HIV infections remain a threat to public health and have affected the lives of millions worldwide.
This year’s celebration is themed ‘Equalize’, which is a call to strive for the implementation of practical actions to tackle inequality which is an obstruction to the efforts to end the Aids epidemic. To achieve the target of this year’s theme, several actions have been implemented as a community that is united against the epidemic. This includes, enhancing services, quality and suitability of HIV treatment, tests and prevention for all, implementing the reformation of policy and practices to tackle stigma and discrimination faced by those living with HIV and sharing the latest HIV technology to increase equal access for all.
Source: Radio Television Brunei