CHP Ramps Up HIV/AIDS Campaign With Partner NGOs

The Department of Health's (DH) Centre for Health Protection (CHP) ramped up efforts to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) by organising initiatives with various non-government organisations (NGOs) in the region.

Apart from providing public health services to prevent HIV/AIDS, they also aim to raise public awareness about the practice of safe sex to reduce the risk of being infected with HIV.

CHP Head of Public Health Services Dr. Wong Ka-hing said the government has employed innovative strategies in providing AIDS prevention services to the public, namely online workshops and launching HIV self-tests, testing coverage, and other preventive works, as per a government press release yesterday.

He added that sexual transmission remains as the major mode of HIV transmission in Hong Kong, pointing out that there had been an increase of new HIV infections among female sex workers (FSWs) since August 2021. These involve five women aged 51 to 63 years old.

"Most of them had offered commercial sex mainly at Yau Tsim Mong District and Sham Shui Po District, while the CHP's epidemiological investigations, including laboratory analysis, so far have not suggested a common source of infection among these cases," the release read. "All cases are stable and currently under HIV treatment and care."

The government added that HIV testing and counselling of FSWs have been enhanced at social hygiene clinics, while HIV prevention efforts for male clients of FSWs will likewise be ramped up.

Dr. Wong called on to the public to use condoms regularly and properly, and to take an HIV antibody test early on if they have a history of unsafe sex.

"They can call the DH's AIDS Hotline (2780 2211) for a free, anonymous and confidential HIV antibody test,” he was quoted as saying. “Key populations with a higher risk of infection should undergo regular HIV screening. HIV-positive people should seek specialist care and HIV treatment as soon as possible.”