(Dili)Bedois – President of the National Institute of Combating HIV-AIDS (INCSIDA, I.P), Daniel Marçal, informed that the number of HIV-AIDS cases in Timor-Leste has continued to increase in recent years. Because one factor that is considered to contribute significantly to this increase is the commercial practice of free sex and unprotected sexual intercourse.
“Sex commercials do not use condoms and lack of information about HIV prevention is a major risk for the transmission of the disease. Many people are not aware to do regular testing and use condoms when having sex,” said Daniel Marçal in Bedois, Friday (13/02/2026).
According to the President, new cases were detected through voluntary testing and awareness campaigns in health centers and hospitals. This increase is not only happening in urban areas such as Dili, but is also beginning to appear in other municipalities.
“HIV cases have now increased to 2,560. Therefore, we ask all of us to pay attention to the HIV-AIDS virus that is growing in our society, if each of us does not take care of ourselves and does not treat the problem of HIV-AIDS transmission, Timor-Leste will become a high risk,” he said.
INCSIDA continues to conduct education and condom distribution campaigns to prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
The institution also stressed that stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV will be a major challenge to prevention and treatment efforts.
“We ask the community not to stigmatize people living with HIV, because regular treatment can make them live normal and productive lives. Joint efforts between government and society need to continue to control the increase in HIV cases and protect public health,” said the President.
In this opportunity, the President also appealed to young people to do regular testing, use condoms and seek accurate information about reproductive health.
He also asked families and community leaders to get involved in education, to create a supportive and non-discriminatory environment.
“HIV cases are increasing because it is transmitted through unprotected free sex, talking about sexual intercourse is difficult to stop because it is a human right, however, we all have a responsibility to prevent the disease by sharing accurate information and practicing safely,” he concluded.
