NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS

NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS 2012

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally given the green light on one particular pill, ever to be approved to ward off HIV - the virus that causes Aids.

Although Truvada has been in the market since 2004, as a treatment for HIV, it was not until 2010, when studies showed that the drug could actually prevent people from contracting HIV when used as a precautionary measure.

The study found that daily doses of the pill cut the risk of infection in healthy gay and bisexual men by 42 per cent with proper condom usage and 75 per cent in heterosexual couples of which one partner is living with HIV.

"It is expensive, but on the other hand it's far cheaper than a lifetime of HIV treatment", said Dr Joel Gallant of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.

The Straits Times, 17th July 2012
Click to view full file

The United States of America has finally approved, after a long controversial debate, a new HIV test made possible for the American counterparts to get tested in the privacy of their own homes. This was made known by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Although the OraQuick test kit aims to return a result within 20 to 40 minutes upon collection of saliva using a mouth swab, researchers have also done a study, and showed that the test kits would be "extremely accurate" when administered by medical professionals, but less so by consumers themselves.

These kits are not available in Singapore at present commercially, and even if the general public were to get hold of these kits, they are not endorsed by the relevant government departments.

You are able to get tested, anonymously, at Action for Aids Anonymous Test Site.

The Straits Times, 5th July 2012
Click to view full file

WHO issues warning against a potentially fatal antibiotics resistant STD.

Play Safe, Keep Safe.

Say YES! Get TESTED!

The Straits Times, 7th June 2012
Click to view full file

The number of young people infected with HIV is on the rise. What can you do to avoid getting infected?

Play Safe, Keep Safe.

Say YES! Get TESTED!

The Straits Times, 7th June 2012
Click to view full file

Would you opt out if you have a choice on whether to get a HIV testing done?

Unfortunately, 8 out of 10 said they will.

Say YES! Get TESTED!

The Straits Times, 21 May 2012
Click to view full file

With reference to a research done at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) over the last two years, almost 8 out of 10 inpatients opted out for HIV testing - a discouraging figure when authorities and NGO are encouraging more to take up voluntarily HIV screening.

A phobia towards blood, needles and financial difficulties among the few commonly given reasons gave the patients the excuse to opt out the screening.



Today, 21 May 2012
Click to view full file

Of the 195 people infected with the HIV virus, homosexuals and bisexuals accounted for 54 percent of the total figure - the first since 1990. Aids activists said that the hike in infections has got to do with the willingness to get themselves tested for HIV, and probably a greater degree of sexual recklessness among this group of demographics.

Alarmingly, of those diagnosed last year, 95 percent were men. However, the exact reasons for the increased gay and bisexual diagnosis were unclear.

Consistent and correct use of condoms, together with regular HIV testing is the continuing effort undertaken by the Health Ministry and its advocates to bring down the infection rate.

The Sunday Times, 22 April 2012
Click to view full file

The Mobile Testing Site (MTS) started by Action for Aids is gaining popularity as the months passed. An average of 100 members of the public get tested monthly.

For more information on the whereabouts of the MTS, log on to http://www.afa.org.sg/mts.php



LianHe WanBao 25 March 2012
Click to view full file

A third man has been charged in court for keeping his HIV status a secret from another man whom he had sex with. The man is now diagnosed HIV positive, but it is unclear on whether the accused was the one who passed the virus to him.

Under the Infectious Act, a person diagnosed with HIV is under mandatory law to inform his/her partner of their status. Those guilty of keeping their status from their partners, faces a possible fine of $50,000 and/or a 10 year jail sentence.



The Straits Times, 8 March 2012
Click to view full file

Slipping on a condom, is better than not putting on one.

And according to a study, men are not receptive on sharing their fears and experiences, unlike women.



Lian He Wan Bao, 08 March 2012
Click to view full file

It's all in a good day's work for film-maker Royston Tan's latest work. In collaboration with Action for Aids, Royston featured scantily clad women as sex objects, set to the tune of a familiar Hokkien song. The two-minute video is made, urging men to use condoms when paying for sex.

A line in the song goes: "If you protect yourself, your happiness will always stay."

"HIV/Aids is a sensitive topic in Singapore, and we constantly look for creative ways to execute the campaigns", says Action for Aids' Executive Director Donovan Lo.



The Straits Times, Tuesday, March 6 2012
Click to view full file

It is said in the early days, that diagnosis of one's health is the best way to prevent any disease in later years. However, screening for diseases too often leads to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of those who are well. While recently, within the medical profession itself, there has been much contradictions that the healthcare industry is to blame; by turning people into patients in order to make money out from screenings for pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and doctors.

But just how much screening is deemed an overdoing of one's self? It's in fact up to individual, however, obsessing with screening is not advisable.

Email us your views on this column. Your comments will be much appreciated



Today, Wednesday February 29, 2012
Click to view full file

In the eyes of Singaporeans, if not the worldwide communites, should be educated that the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS, do not confine itself to the zones one's bedroom. Instead, it involves a larger picture - in this situation - the workplace. This is due to the fact that sufferers belong mostly to the working age group.

Citing a quote from Dr Amy Khor, Minister of State for Health, "Start by educating employees about HIV/Aids. Move on to achieve a supportive workplace for workers living with HIV/Aids. Then establish workplace policies to eliminate discrimination against HIV-infected workers. Over the years, there has been advancement made in treatment, and really an HIV-infected person can live a full and normal life if the diseases is detected early and treated."

Statistics also shows that 70 per cent of people tested HIV-positive in 2011 were aged 30 to 59. With this figure, businesses are encouraged to deploy valuable policies and steps to push HIV/Aids education, and to spread these through their business networks.

There are about 4,000 people living with HIV/Aids as of 2011. With the implementation of the new revised guidelines to manage HIV/Aids in the workplace, this will be in pace to "help foster a gracious and inclusive society."

The Straits Times, 01 February 2012
Click to view full file

Companies intending to educate their employees about HIV/AIDS now have a set of guidelines to turn to. This set of guidelines will also set up a supportive working environment for those who are HIV-positive.

With the aim of raising the awareness of the disease, as well as to combat the stigma surrounding it, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) as well as the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) jointly put together the guidelines.

The HPB also hopes to get 4,000 companies on board by the end of next year, with 46 at this moment. These companies range from banking to manufacturing, hospitality and shipyards.

Minister of State for Health and chairman of the National HIV/Aids Policy Committee Amy Khor commented that implementation of the guidelines would be a "positive and useful first step" in fighting Aids.

The Straits Times, 28 January 2012
Click to view full file

Former engineer, 27, sentenced to 18 months jail for witholding his HIV status when having sex with another man



The Straits Times, 19 January 2012
Click to view full file