Seven people have died of AIDS related illnesses in Bobonaro since records began in 2003.
Forty people, included the seven deceased, have been diagnosed with HIV in the district.
The surviving patients are undergoing antiretroviral treatment.
Maliana sub-district director of health services Vitor Soares Martins said Dili, Bobonaro and Baucau had the nation’s highest rates of HIV infection.
“I acknowledge that HIV/AIDS rates are high in Bobonara district as it is close to the border, so many people are at risk, particularly adults,” he said.
He said Voluntary Counselling and Testing centres had been established in Balibo and Maliana to service Bobonaro residents.
National Commission on Combating HIV/AIDS general secretary Daniel Marçal said Maliana’s close proximity to Indonesia contributed to the high rate of HIV.
Heath Ministry HIV/AIDS unit chief Marta Albenia dos Santos said more than 400 people had been diagnosed with HIV across the country, some of whom had died while others were undergoing treatment or were unaccounted for.
