AIDS COUNCIL

As with every 1st of December, we’re given the opportunity to raise awareness on key HIV issues of our time.

According to UNAIDS, there were 36.7 million people globally living with HIV with an estimated 5.1 million in the Asia Pacific region. In our region there were 270 000 new infections recorded; declining 13% between 2010 and 2016. With only 47% of people on antiretroviral treatment in the region, a lot more still needs to be done before we can come close to ending this epidemic. Antiretroviral treatment not only ensures that people living with HIV can live a long and normal life, but early diagnosis and treatment also means preventing new infections.

Data from many countries show that prevalence of HIV in members of key populations, including transactional sex, people who inject drugs, prisoners, and other men who have sex with men, and their sexual partners are still higher than in the general population.

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. Last year, on 1st December, MOH reported 34 new HIV infections recorded in 2016 alone. This figure included 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. This rise could be attributed to an increase in risky behaviours particularly unprotected sex with multiple partners. This increase in numbers could also be attributed to greater awareness and increased testing.

This is why this year’s theme “Right to Health” is so important. The right to health is not only for a person to be able have access to health services and medicines; but that they are able to prevent ill health; that healthcare services are respectful and non-discriminatory; and that healthcare must be medically appropriate and of good quality. By ensuring that all this is achieved, we can obtain our goal of preventing new infections and assuring that those who are living with HIV are detected and treated early.

Research has shown that people living with HIV (PLHIV) can live a normal life span with treatment, just like any other chronic illnesses such as diabetes or hypertension, and still can contribute to society like any other person. It is therefore, besides the right to health, PLHIV has also the right to work and support themselves and their family. HIV status should not matter for a person to seek employment or limit their career. We are calling for employers to not discriminate any of their workers or potential workers based on their HIV status.

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.

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 (BDAIDSCOUNCIL), 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 #myrighttoehalth 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