AIDS COUNCIL

It’s that time of the year again, where the whole world comes together during World AIDS Day, which is every 1st December.

All over the world, according to UNAIDS, since 2010, the annual global number of new HIV infections among adults (15 years and older) has remained static, at an estimated 1.9 million. Members of key populations, including transactional sex, people who inject drugs, prisoners, and other men who have sex with men, and their sexual partners accounted for 45% of all new HIV infections in 2015.

In years gone by, Brunei Darussalam recorded few new cases a year. However, statistics from the Ministry of Health has shown that there has been a significant year-on-year increase in the annual number of new cases recorded per year since 2013. Between 2011-2015, there were a total of 77 new HIV infections in the local population. As of today, there have been 36 new HIV infections recorded this year alone. This figure includes heterosexual transmission between men and women and also men who have sex with men (MSM). Although heterosexual transmission is dominant, it is important to note that as with most parts of the world, there is a disproportionately higher number of new infections diagnosed among MSMs. It’s also important to note that the number of women who have been infected have also been increasing in the past few years.

All these data, requires all of us in the community to be involved actively and meaningfully, or in other words, “all hands on deck!”, especially in a small country like Brunei.

Brunei Darussalam is privileged to be provided with world-class health facilities and medical care, with a society that promotes strong family values and community awareness to take care of one another. This has helped to reduce, if not maintain, the number of new HIV infections in Brunei, and support people at risk of contracting HIV or are living with HIV themselves. Yet, there are significant concerns on certain parts of the community’s perception towards HIV.

This is where awareness, education and understanding is needed for anyone on the matter. HIV is a preventable illness & there is no need to be scared of it; HIV is a manageable illness when contracted & there is no need to give up on life because of it; and, certainly, HIV is not easily transmitted & there is no need to stigmatise the person living with it.

Although there is treatment available, there is still no cure for HIV infection. Early diagnosis should allow a person who has been recently infected with HIV to be given treatment early and ensure a near normal life span. Not only will early diagnosis and treatment save the lives of those infected, it can also prevent further transmission of the virus.

Battling stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLWHIV) is important in battling the disease itself. Stigma against the disease discourages those who are at risk from coming forward to get tested and therefore prevents them from being treated and further transmission of the virus.

With the increase in the number of new HIV cases in Brunei, there is a more urgent need to reach out to key affected populations on HIV awareness in Brunei Darussalam. These messages should include ways to prevent infection and encourage testing. In our local context these groups include men who have sex with men, people using drugs, unmarried mothers, people with poor education or have low income have a higher risk of being infected with HIV.

We iterate our call for members of society to take action by educating, and not discriminating, continuing research, taking preventive measures and by showing love and care. Only by doing so we can reduce and control the number of new HIV infections. It is encouraging to know that there are now various undergraduates or university research that is being done locally related to HIV. Hopefully, the results of this research will allow us to develop evidence-based approaches to the epidemic.

Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council, would also like to call on those who feel that they have put themselves at risk, to seek HIV testing. Confidential testing involves a simple blood test that is available at all government health centres and clinics as well as private health facilities. Knowing your HIV status will empower you to make the right decisions with regards to your sexual health and protect your future. If you find out that you are infected with HIV, you can seek medical care quickly and every step is made to ensure that your status remains confidential.

As per BDAC’s Vision, “Together Towards an AIDS-free Brunei Society”, Getting to Zero is only achievable when all (from policymakers down to the baby in a mother’s arms) are on board; this includes you who are reading this message too.

For this World AIDS Day, we would like to thank the Government of His Majesty for the support and assistance in allowing us to continue our HIV advocacy work, our various donors, supporters and partners be it from companies, educational institutions, community leaders, media agencies and volunteers.

A special mention to the volunteers and their families in Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council (BDAC), including our youth division, the Penyinar Club, who have given their support, ideas, effort, time and even donations; all these to help Brunei Darussalam’s society in raising awareness on HIV and AIDS.

Do contact us on social media (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram) on #BDAIDSCOUNCIL or drop us an email at penyinarbdac@gmail.com and let’s discuss and take action on how together we can play our part.

- YB Iswandy Ahmad, President, Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council