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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg |
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Increase In HIV Testing In
Singapore - MOH Urges At-Risk Groups To Go For Voluntary Testing |
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In the first 10 months of 2008
(January-October), there were a total of 382 reported new HIV cases
among Singapore residents. In comparison, there were 423 HIV cases
notified for the whole of 2007. It can be expected that the total
number of notified HIV cases in 2008 will exceed that of last year. |
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There has been an increase in the number
of HIV tests done in Singapore in 2008, compared to 2007. The total
number of HIV tests carried out for Singapore residents by local
laboratories from January through September 2008 was 124,559,
compared to 102,490 over the same time period in 2007. This
represents a 22% increase this year. |
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There has also been an increase in
anonymous HIV testing. The total number of anonymous HIV tests done
between January through October 2008 was 6,983 compared to 6,706
tests done between January through October last year. |
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With effect from 1 November 2008, four
additional GP clinics[1]have also begun to offer anonymous HIV
testing. These four clinics have carried out a total of 175 tests in
the first half of November 2008. |
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Although there is an increase in the
number of notified HIV cases, it does not necessarily mean that
there are more new infections. As people who are infected with HIV
may not present with symptoms for several years, people who are
newly diagnosed to have HIV may in fact have acquired their
infection several years ago. |
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The increase in HIV testing may also
have contributed to the increased numbers of Singapore residents
detected to have HIV infection. |
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MOH is encouraged by the increased
awareness and uptake of HIV testing, and would like to continue
urging those at risk of HIV infection and those who engage in risky
sexual behaviour to go for regular HIV testing. Regular HIV testing
can help an infected person to be diagnosed at an earlier stage of
infection. Early diagnosis can afford a person earlier access to
care and treatment, and also allow the person to receive counselling
on how to protect their partners from infection. |
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Breakdown of new cases of HIV
infections between January - June 2008 |
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There were 153 new HIV cases reported in
the first 6 months of 2008. Information on new HIV cases is
regularly updated on the MOH website. Data for the first 6 months of
2008 is reproduced in
Annex A. |
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Between July and October 2008,
another229 new HIV cases were reported. The additional new cases are
currently undergoing further investigations, and more information on
them will be released at a later date. |
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How individuals and employers can
help prevent HIV |
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The most effective way to prevent HIV
infection is to remain faithful to one’s spouse/partner and to avoid
casual sex and sex with prostitutes. A HIV-infected person looks and
feels normal during the early stage of the infection. It is
therefore not possible to tell if a person is infected or not by
looking at his/her appearance. |
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Persons engaging in high-risk sexual
behaviour, such as having multiple sexual partners, engaging in
casual sex or sex with prostitutes, are strongly advised to use
condoms to reduce their riskof HIV infection. Condoms should be used
consistently and correctly during every sexual encounter. They
should also go for regular HIV testing. |
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More than 90% of people living with HIV
in Singapore are adults in the prime working ages of 21 to 59 years.
MOH therefore strongly encourages employers to take a lead role in
helping to create a supportive environment and promote greater
understanding and acceptance of people living with HIV. MOH also
urges employers to adopt a more pro-active approach in HIV
prevention and education at the workplace. The Health Promotion
Board offers a range of HIV prevention and education programmes
specially designed for the workplace. |
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The Singapore National Employers
Federation (SNEF) has previously issued the "Guidelines on Managing
HIV/AIDS at the Workplace". These guidelines advocate the provision
of HIV education at the workplace, as well as provide guidance on
the management of HIV-infected workers at the workplace. |
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Several companies have already actively
taken up HIV/AIDS awareness programmes and established HIV/AIDS
workplace policies within their company. These companies include
Apex-Pal, UMW Equipment & Engineering Pte Ltd, Standard Chartered
Bank and Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd. |
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It is an offence under the Infectious
Diseases (Amendment) Act 2008 if a person who has reason to believe
that he has, or has been exposed to a significant risk of
contracting HIV/AIDS, does not take reasonable precautions to
protect his sexual partner, such as by using condoms, even if he is
ignorant of his HIV positive status. Alternatively, he can go for a
HIV test to confirm that he is HIV-negative. Otherwise, he must
inform his partner of the risk of contracting HIV from him, leaving
the partner to voluntarily accept the risk, if he or she so wishes. |
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More information about HIV and AIDS can
be found on the Health Promotion Board website at
www.hpb.gov.sg/aids. For
more information about the workplace HIV/AIDS education programmes,
please contactMs Lira Nadia Abdul Razak at 6435-3177,
lira_nadia_abdul_razak@hpb.gov.sg. |
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
30 NOV 2008 |
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[1]Dr Jay Medical Centre, Dr Soh Family
Clinic, M Lam Clinic and Robertson Medical Practice |
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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg Press Release 28
Nov 2008 |
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FrontPage Edition: Sun 30 Nov 2008
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