Yo Bus driver. Please heed the cow's advice: GO FOR ANONYMOUS AIDS TEST!
SINGAPORE : Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan has said the current challenge in Singapore's fight against HIV/AIDS is in identifying those who are infected early.
Speaking at the 7th Singapore AIDS Conference on Saturday, he joins other HIV advocates and health experts in urging more Singaporeans to go for voluntary testing.
Since 2008, public hospitals in Singapore have offered optional HIV screening as part of their routine tests.
But in 2009, 80 per cent of eligible patients chose not to be screened.
"Last year, the programme picked up 50 HIV-positive individuals who otherwise may not have known that they have HIV. But how many have we missed out? It will be safer for all, if we can raise the take-up rate. And we must try," urged the Health Minister.
But Action for AIDS president, Professor Roy Chan, said those who are screened are often those who are at low risk of infection.
He said: "Those who are at highest risk are the ones who need to be reached out, to be given... the access to testing. About 50 or 60 per cent who come in advanced stage of infection, and that's really too high.
"Sometimes it becomes too late for a good treatment response as well. So the message is, test early, and test repeatedly for those who may have a high-risk lifestyle."
There are currently seven clinics that offer anonymous HIV testing, and Mr Khaw said he is prepared to have more if it will help raise screening rates.
Treating HIV has become more affordable in the last few years.
First-line treatment costs now average about S$200 a month, down from S$1,000 previously.
Recent changes have also allowed patients to pay for part of their treatment through Medifund.
But experts said prevention is still the main weapon in the fight against the disease.
And health authorities have pitched specific messages to their target groups.
For youths, the message is ABC - Abstinence, Be faithful, and Condom use.
For those with high-risk lifestyles, it is CAT - Condom use and Testing.
The Health Promotion Board also runs awareness programmes targeted at the schools and the workplace.
Latest Health Ministry figures show that there were 373 more people infected with HIV in the first 10 months of this year. Official figures place the number of HIV/AIDS patients at 4,777.
The biennial Singapore AIDS Conference is jointly organised by Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the Health Promotion Board, and Action for AIDS.
