Press Releases
SFH urges young people to join AIDS prevention and control efforts (with photos)
The Secretary for Food and Health (SFH), Dr Ko Wing-man, officiated at the
Getting to Zero - Egg Design Competition Award Presentation Ceremony of the
World AIDS Campaign 2015 this afternoon (November 28) and encouraged the
young generation to actively participate in the prevention and control of
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to echo with World AIDS Day on
December 1.
"Although territory-wide efforts in AIDS prevention and control have been
ongoing, the situation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is
yet to decline. A total of 541 new cases of HIV infections had been recorded
in the first three quarters of 2015, with two cases per day on average. The
majority, about 60 per cent, are men who have sex with men while around 15
per cent were aged below 25," Dr Ko said at the ceremony.
"Of note, many young people nowadays get infected via unsafe sex under the
influence of drugs and upon the request of sex partners. In addition, among
those infected, there are still some 30 per cent who receive diagnosis and
anti-viral treatment at a later stage. The public's knowledge and risk
awareness of AIDS remain inadequate," he said.
Dr Ko highlighted that nowadays antiviral treatment can not only effectively
control patients' illness, but also reduce further transmission. Regarding
testing, members of the public can take a free HIV antibody rapid test from
the Government as well as various AIDS non-governmental organisations. In
addition, education on sex and HIV has become more and more common in
schools.
As the HIV epidemic is affecting more people of the younger generation, he
appealed to young people for heightened awareness against HIV infection in
the realisation of "Zero new HIV infections", "Zero AIDS-related deaths" and
"Zero discrimination" set out by the Joint United Nations Programme on
HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
As a UNAIDS Collaborating Centre for Technical Support, the Red Ribbon
Centre (RRC) of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health
(DH) organised the egg design competition with a view to promoting
prevention of HIV infection through art. Also attending the ceremony, the
Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan, and the Chairman of the RRC
Management Advisory Committee, Dr Richard Tan, presented prizes to winners.
World AIDS Day on December 1 every year brings together people around the
world to demonstrate international solidarity in raising awareness about
HIV/AIDS and its prevention.
The winning entries will be displayed in the following venues from today
onwards:
* B1, Fashion World, Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom, Kowloon (November 28);
* Fu Shin Shopping Centre, 12 On Po Road, Tai Po, New Territories (November
29);
* Entrance of East Commercial Block, Paradise Mall, 100 Shing Tai Road, Chai
Wan (December 5); and
* L7, MegaBox, 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon (December 6).
The public may visit the pages below for more information on AIDS and
forthcoming events:
* The DH's AIDS website (www.aids.gov.hk);
* The RRC's website (www.rrc.gov.hk);
and
* The Community Calendar on HIV Prevention and Care (www.27802211.com/en/events.php).
Ends/Saturday, November 28, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:24
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