HIV / AIDS UPDATES

In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared 1 December as World AIDS Day to raise the awareness and increase the education about HIV and AIDS. In that same year, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which supported the prevention and control of AIDS.

HIV/AIDS is a uniquely devastating trans-national pandemic which continues to threaten the international community as scientists race to find a cure. According to UNAIDS, there is an estimated 33 million people living in the world with HIV in 2007.

The continued combat against HIV/AIDS was further reaffirmed by the international community at the 2000 UN Millennium Declaration being identified as Goal No.6. The UN Millennium Declaration is a list of 8 goals outlining targets for which 189 countries have endorsed their commitments to achieve by the year 2015.

HIV/AIDS IN SINGAPORE

In 2008, the Ministry of Health received 456 new notifications of Singapore residents being infected with HIV. This brings the total number of HIV infected Singaporeans to 3,941 as of end 2008.

To find out more about the HIV/AIDS landscape in Singapore, please click here.

In recognition of World AIDS Day, Action for AIDS, a NGO committed to AIDS prevention, advocacy and support, have organized several events surrounding World AIDS Day 2009.

For more information on their events, please click here.

HIV TESTING IN SINGAPORE

Since 1 Aug 2007, the Ministry of Health has approved HIV rapid testing to be offered in medical clinics in Singapore. Rapid HIV tests are screening tests which will give you the results very quickly, in about 20 minutes.

For more information about rapid HIV testing, please click here.

Anonymous HIV antibody testing is also currently available in Singapore. This is a rapid test and results are readily available. For more information, please click here.