Increase in HIV testing in Singapore – MOH urges at-risk groups to go for voluntary testing

28 Nov 2009

1. In the first 10 months of 2009 (January-October), there were a total of 378 reported new HIV cases among Singapore residents. In comparison, there were 456 HIV cases notified for the whole of 2008. It can be expected that the total number of notified HIV cases in 2009 will be similar to that of last year.

2. There has been an increase in the number of HIV tests done in Singapore in 2009, compared to 2008. From January to September 2009, the total number of HIV tests carried out for Singapore residents by local laboratories was 129,966, compared to 124,559 over the same time period in 2008.

3. There has also been an increase in the volume of anonymous HIV testing since 2007. The total number of anonymous HIV tests done during the period of January to October 2009 was 8,373 (2,629 in six GP clinics and 5,744 in the Action for AIDS anonymous test site). This represents a 20% increase over the same period in 2008, when 6,983 anonymous HIV tests were carried out. The addition of 4 anonymous HIV test sites in GP clinics in November 2008 contributed to this increase.

4. MOH would like to continue urging those at risk of HIV infection and those who engage in risky sexual behaviour to go for regular HIV testing. Regular HIV testing can help an infected person to be diagnosed at an earlier stage of infection. Early diagnosis can afford a person earlier access to care and treatment, and also allow the person to receive counselling on how to protect their partners from infection.

Breakdown of new cases of HIV infections between January - June 2009

5. There were 218 new HIV cases reported in the first 6 months of 2009. Information on new HIV cases is regularly updated on the MOH website. Data for the first 6 months of 2009 is reproduced in Annex A.

6. Between July and October 2009, another 160 new HIV cases were reported. The additional new cases are currently undergoing further investigations, and more information on them will be released at a later date.

How individuals and employers can help prevent HIV

7. The most effective way to prevent HIV infection is to remain faithful to one’s spouse/partner and to avoid casual sex and sex with prostitutes.  A HIV-infected person looks and feels normal during the early stage of the infection. It is therefore not possible to tell if a person is infected or not by looking at his/her appearance.

8. Persons engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour, such as having multiple sexual partners, engaging in casual sex or sex with prostitutes, are strongly advised to use condoms to reduce their riskof HIV infection. Condoms should be used consistently and correctly during every sexual encounter. They should also go for regular HIV testing.

9. More than 90% of people living with HIV in Singapore are adults in the prime working ages of 21 to 59 years. MOH therefore strongly encourages employers to take a lead role in helping to create a supportive environment and promote greater understanding and acceptance of people living with HIV. MOH also urges employers to adopt a more pro-active approach in HIV prevention and education at the workplace. The Health Promotion Board offers a range of HIV prevention and education programmes specially designed for the workplace.

10. The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) has previously issued the "Guidelines on Managing HIV/AIDS at the Workplace". These guidelines advocate the provision of HIV education at the workplace, as well as provide guidance on the management of HIV-infected workers at the workplace.

11. Several companies have already actively taken up HIV/AIDS awareness programmes and established HIV/AIDS workplace policies within their company. These companies include Apex-Pal, UMW Equipment & Engineering Pte Ltd, Standard Chartered Bank and Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd.

12. It is an offence under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Act 2008 if a person who has reason to believe that he has, or has been exposed to a significant risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, does not take reasonable precautions to protect his sexual partner, such as by using condoms, even if he is unaware of his HIV positive status. Alternatively, he can go for a HIV test to confirm that he is HIV-negative. Otherwise, he must inform his partner of the risk of contracting HIV from him, leaving the partner to voluntarily accept the risk, if he or she so wishes.

13. More information about HIV and AIDS can be found on the Health Promotion Board website at www.hpb.gov.sg/aids.  For more information about the workplace HIV/AIDS education programmes, please contact Mr Chan Lit Fai at chan_lit_fai@hpb.gov.sg

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

ANNEX A (0.88 MB)