In the first three quarters of this year, nine locals, all males, informed the Health Bureau (SSM) about their HIV infection, with eight of them having been infected via homosexual or bisexual contact, while one of the patients’ infection route is unknown.
According to an SSM statement yesterday, all the cases have been referred to the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre for follow-up treatment.
The Commission on HIV Infection and AIDS, consisting of the Health Bureau, Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) and the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), among other public entities, held their annual meeting on Wednesday, during which SSM Director Alvis Lo Iek Long underlined that “the HIV prevalence in Macau remains a low-level epidemic”, quoting the “Blueprint for a Healthy Macau” as underlining the government’s specific objective of “ending the HIV epidemic” in Macau by 2030.
In terms of harm reduction and disease prevention for injecting drug abusers who are at high risk of HIV transmission, according to the statement, 91 of them received methadone treatment in the first nine months of this year, with an attendance rate of 91 percent.
In order to encourage residents to get tested for HIV, the statement noted that the Health Bureau will continue its “HIV Self-testing Programme” and the ongoing “Free HIV Rapid Test Service”.
According to the statement, the three bureaux also briefed the meeting on their respective awareness-raising campaigns.
Health Bureau (SSM) Director Alvis Lo Iek Long (centre) chairs the annual 2024 meeting of the Commission on HIV Infection and AIDS. – Photo and caption by the Health Bureau
