Dili, December 1, 2023 - The Instituto Nacional de Combate ao HIV/SIDA (INCSIDA), the National AIDS Institute of Timor-Leste, unveiled its inaugural National Strategic Plan that was developed in collaboration with UNFPA and with invaluable contributions from government and other non-government partners.

The strategic plan aims to strengthen INCSIDA as a coordination body to scale-up HIV prevention efforts in Timor-Leste and mitigate the impact of HIV in the country.

This groundbreaking initiative is an important step in Timor-Leste's relentless fight against the HIV epidemic, signaling a collective effort to address the alarming rise in HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across diverse population groups, including a tenfold surge among pregnant women and STI patients compared to 2013, as reported by the Ministry of Health.

During the launch of the National Strategic Plan, Pressia Arifin-Cabo, UNFPA Country Representative in Timor-Leste expressed the organization's unwavering commitment to supporting INCSIDA, the Ministry of Health, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in their joint mission. 

“UNFPA reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting INCSIDA, the Ministry of Health, CBOs, and NGOs in their collective mission to raise awareness about HIV prevention, reduce stigma and discrimination, and contribute to the broader goal of eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, congenital syphilis, and hepatitis B. 

“UNFPA is also dedicated to integrating HIV services seamlessly into the comprehensive spectrum of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for all,” said Pressia Arifin-Cabo.

The National Strategic Plan lays out a comprehensive framework to strengthen the role of INCSIDA and enhance its coordination efforts in the nation's HIV prevention initiatives. It emphasizes the need for innovative HIV programming and progressive prevention policies, extending beyond key population groups to encompass the entire population -- placing a strong focus on youth, where the increase in HIV and STIs has been most pronounced. 

To address the low levels of comprehensive knowledge of HIV, particularly among the youth demographic, the plan underscores the importance of investing in education and evidence-based information for community outreach. This strategic approach aims to not only reduce the prevalence of HIV but also combat the stigma and discrimination faced by individuals living with HIV.

As Timor-Leste takes this significant step forward in its commitment to combat HIV, the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in the National Strategic Plan provide a beacon of hope for a healthier and more resilient nation.

For more information, contact:

Suleiman Okoth

Communications and Programme Support Specialist

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Timor-Leste

Mobile: +67075169796, Email; okoth@unfpa.org