The government has prepared a plan to establish HIV/AIDS treatment posts in entry areas such as borders and ports, to expand services and control the spread of the disease in Timor-Leste.
A representative of the Ministry of Health (MS) and current Coordinator for Social Affairs, Meliana Fátima, said that the initiative is linked to the movement of people through entry points such as borders and ports, which can pose a risk to Timor-Leste.
“We have a plan to establish HIV/AIDS treatment posts at borders and ports because these are the main entry points. If there is no proper control, the disease can continue to increase,” Meliana said at Nino Conis Santana School in Gleno, Ermera.
“When we want to address the HIV problem, we need support from all parties. Therefore, we work together with all partners to address this issue,” she said.
At the same time, President of INCSIDA-IP Daniel Marçal said that establishing treatment posts in strategic areas will encourage communities to undergo voluntary testing.
“When facilities are closer to the people, they will find it easier to get tested and receive treatment. This is a good strategy, and INCSIDA will continue to provide support to ensure that this programme operates well,” Daniel Marçal said.
He stressed that this strategy can also reduce stigma in society because people will feel safer getting tested when facilities are closer to them.
“Looking at the current data, almost 2,500 people have already been registered. Therefore, we all need to work together to reduce this disease in our country,” he said.
On the other hand, Comoro Village Chief Eligio José Marçal said that a separate place is needed to provide treatment for people affected by HIV-AIDS.
“One problem is that we still do not have a separate place to provide treatment for these people. They receive treatment together with other patients with regular illnesses at the hospital, so they do not feel very safe and are embarrassed, and some drop out from receiving treatment,” he said.
He also called for prevention programmes not to be limited to cities, but to reach rural areas as well, to ensure that all young people have equal opportunities to learn and protect themselves from HIV-AIDS.To ensure implementation of the plan, the government is involving five relevant ministries: the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of National Liberation Combatants, and the Coordinating Ministry for Rural Development Affairs.
