James Kon

There were 41 new reported cases of HIV in 2018, of which 93 per cent were men, data from the Ministry of Health (MoH) revealed.

The figures also showed that 32 per cent of these men were within the age range of 25-29.

From January to November 2019, there were 31 new HIV cases reported in Brunei Darussalam, and three AIDS-related casualties.

Up to 2019, there were 278 cases of HIV among Brunei citizens and permanent residents, as well as 59 deaths from AIDS-related illnesses.

At present, 219 people known to be living with HIV in Brunei Darussalam.

Since 1995, there have been four cases of mother-to-child transmission. These worrying statistics were highlighted yesterday by Legislative Council (LegCo) member and President of Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council (BDAIDSCouncil) Yang Berhormat Iswandy bin Ahmad, in his opening remarks at the BDAIDSCouncil 9th General Meeting at Eat Well Co, Jerudong.

Yang Berhormat Iswandy said, “This data is important to us in the national human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) response, as it shows where the BDAIDSCouncil can support the Ministry of Health (MoH) in our prevention and intervention programmes.”

In summing up their recent achievements, he said, “Since our last general meeting about two years ago, many achievements have been made. Despite our small number of active volunteers when compared to other non governmental organisations (NGOs), we might say that BDAIDSCouncil has made its presence in responding to HIV and AIDS and related matters, in Brunei Darussalam.

“Alhamdulillah, we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of collaboration with the Health Promotion Centre (HPC), to deliver the HIV Awareness Programme for Peers and Youth (HAPPY) to youth in educational institutions. Our Life Skills Training (LESTARI), which has reached over 850 graduates and alumni, was conducted three more times from 2017-2019.

“Penyinar Club, under the Penyinar Committee, has always been the strong backbone of BDAIDSCouncil by organising their own programmes, such as participating in National Youth Day celebration, youth events, religious activities, co-organising World AIDS Day with forums, seminars and fundraising events. In the works is Training on Teambuilding and Youth Leadership (TTYL).

“I was also made aware of the free and confidential HIV testing initiative set up by several of our members and volunteers at the BDAIDSCouncil, as a response to the higher number of cases among men. Insya Allah, we will look into other target groups in the future.”

He also thanked the MoH, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and the Ministry of Education (MoE), “for always supporting the association’s initiative in reaching out to the society on HIV and AIDS, and we hope to see more government agencies collaborating with BDAIDSCouncil.”

Yang Berhormat Iswandy called for more concentrated efforts by the members and volunteers of BDAIDSCouncil, in further educating and empowering the Brunei society on HIV and AIDS, regardless of their status.

He said, “Insya Allah, with the input from the Executive Committee members, I believe it is time for BDAIDSCouncil to have its own Strategic Plan…in its efforts to advocate, educate and empower for the next few years.

“It is also vital for, at least our family members, to know about HIV and AIDS, and related matters. As they say, ‘Knowledge is power’.”

Yang Berhormat Iswandy congratulated all BDAIDSCouncil members, “as the association has existed for almost two decades, and is still one of the most active and impactful volunteer-led non-government organisations in Brunei Darussalam”.