Paulina Quintao – The National Commission for Combating HIV/AIDS in Timor-Leste (CNCS-TL) is working with its Indonesian counterpart in border communities to raise awareness of how to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

CNCS-TL general secretary Daniel Marcal said the border areas were a potential gateway for the disease.

"We are at present co-ordinating with the Indonesian commission about how we can organize joint activities in the border areas of Oe-Cusse, Maliana (Batugede) and Suai, because people living in those areas are at serious risk," he said.

Authorities hold concerns for residents of these areas who cross freely into the Indonesian district of Atambua without a passport, and may be exposed to the virus.

Health Ministry data shows that 408 people tested HIV positive between 2003 and 2013, with rates highest in Dili and the border regions.

Forty of those diagnosed have died from the virus while about 100 are receiving treatment. The remainder are not receiving any medical assistance.

Department of Health HIV/AIDS unit chief Marta Abenia dos Santos said the Health Ministry was working with international partners to establish voluntary testing and counselling services in existing health facilities.

Centres to provide training to patients about antiretroviral treatment have been established in Baucau, Maliana, Suai, Maubisse and Oe-Cusse as well as Dili's National Hospital and the Bairo-Pite Clinic, she said.

Member of Parliament Josefa Alvares Pereira Soares urged all people to spread the word about HIV, particularly those involved in women's groups who could get the message to rural women.

The information was particularly important for mothers, she said. "I know in some districts, the rates of HIV/AIDS is very high, and this information needs to reach mothers," she said.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/security-defencejustice/12902-hiv-border-threat