French expert says HIV infections in Singapore higher
than France
SINGAPORE: A French HIV expert from the Institut Pasteur
in Paris said she's surprised with Singapore's HIV infection
numbers especially the over-400 new infections in 2008.
Prof Francoise Barre Sinoussi was in Singapore to share
her latest findings on natural protection against AIDS.
Professor Francoise Barre Sinoussi said she was surprised at
Singapore's HIV infection numbers.
She said the over 400 new infections in 2008 was higher than she
thought it would be and comparatively higher even than
France.
Professor Francoise Barre Sinoussi, Institut Pastuer, Paris, said:
"If you calculate in proportion to the population in Singapore,
it's a little bit more than my country in France. So this was
something really new for me. Originally, I thought you had very few
cases of infection in Singapore - that it was not really a problem,
but that's not the case."
However, Singapore's Health Ministry said the rate of HIV
prevalence among those aged 15 to 49 years old is similar to other
developed nations like France - at 0.1 to 0.2 per cent of the
general population.
Lionel Lee, executive director, Action for AIDS, said: "The numbers
are actually not that high as compared to the rest of the
countries. In fact, we attributed the increase to stepped-up
efforts in testing with AFA as well as with other clinics.
“I think MOH has also launched six other GPs including AFA to be
running the anonymous HIV testing services in Singapore that would
have an impact on the number of detection in 2008."
While more people are coming forward for testing, Mr Lee said more
can be done.
He said: "HIV AIDS is not only a public health problem. It
transcends different stakeholders including the political level,
community level, businesses including the media as well. Everyone
has a role to play with regards to HIV prevention."
For the first ten months of 2009, the number of newly-infected
Singaporeans with HIV was 378.
- CNA/vm
