Press Release

2011 World AIDS Day Message (Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council)

  •   By: Najihah Latif
  •   01 August 2017, 09:27am

On behalf of BDAC, I view the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day as a call and a challenge which, I hope can be realised in our country not too far in the future.

2011 has seen HIV in its 30th year of the epidemic; various advancements have been done throughout the world to slow down or prevent HIV from a killer disease to a “chronic manageable disease”. Despite its 30th year, the whole world, including Brunei Darussalam, still see people engaging in risky behaviours and people living with HIV are stigmatised; in this regard, I would like to call for the relevant authorities and agencies to address this important issue in a holistic and integrated manner.

Government agencies need to ensure comprehensive services and programmes are in place to address both prevention and management of the problem as well as provide support in raising awareness on HIV & AIDS and supporting people living with HIV to live a normal life; the private sectors can help educate the society and support any HIV related initiatives; community leaders and families need to help overcome stigmatisation and discrimination as well as strengthen values; teachers and students need to be educated and equipped with the necessary skills on HIV prevention; both media and social media networks play important roles in disseminating accurate and timely information; funding or sponsorship from all sectors for HIV and AIDS initiatives is also needed; and lastly individuals need to practice safe behaviours etc. To put it simply, everyone has their role to play.

For this year’s World AIDS Day, BDAC has a different approach in reaching out to the community; we are reaching out to the public, particularly our youth, through social media and through sports.

A Duathlon or “Run-Bike-Run” will be held on 11 December 2011 and it is reaching out to sportsmen and sportswomen as well as youths in Brunei with the support of volunteers to, literally, “Getting to Zero” to reach the finish line and as a reminder for us that “Getting to Zero” is a call for all, even for people in sports and volunteers.

The highest number of HIV infection including Sexually Transmitted Infections, is among young people i.e., teenagers and the young productive age-group in Brunei and young Bruneians are well connected on the internet. We took this opportunity to disseminate HIV messages, done by young people, through popular social media via Twitter (@BDAIDSCOUNCIL), Facebook (Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council) & clips on YouTube.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank all those who are doing their part in working together in this world of HIV and AIDS (prevention); together we work hand-in-hand for Brunei Darussalam with Zero new HIV infection, Zero AIDS-related deaths & Zero discrimination.

- Iswandy Ahmad, President, Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council