The HIV/AIDS pandemic is a serious global problem and poses one of the greatest challenges to mankind. It has infected an estimated 36 million persons and has caused over 20 million deaths worldwide. Singapore empathises with the many nations that are experiencing the severe consequences that the pandemic has brought.

2  Singapore sees the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS as an opportunity to gain further insights into the prevention and control strategies of other member countries. We are also happy to share our limited experience in confronting the HIV/AIDS problem in our country.

3   The first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in Singapore in 1985. Since then, over 1,300 Singaporeans have been infected with HIV/AIDS. There have been about 500 deaths.

4  Singapore has made prevention of the disease a key priority. We adopt a comprehensive multi-sectoral national AIDS control programme.

5  HIV/AIDS education is provided for all sectors of the population through the mass media, while more structured programmes are available for students and young people, national servicemen who serve in the armed forces, and others who are vulnerable to the infection. Individuals who perceive themselves to be at risk of infection are encouraged to undergo HIV screening.

6  Stringent measures are undertaken to safeguard the national blood supply. There is a rigorous donor selection process and all potential blood donors are interviewed and required to declare that they did not have past or present risk activities associated with HIV infection. Those who make a false declaration are liable to prosecution. All blood and blood products are also screened for HIV.

7  HIV/AIDS patients are given access to subsidised outpatient and inpatient medical treatment and are counselled regularly. They can go to any hospital to seek treatment and are treated no differently from other patients. They also have access to HIV drugs. However, like many other no-standard drugs for the treatment of other ailments, HIV drugs are not subsidised.

8  The government also works closely with community groups to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and prevent the discrimination of patients and their families. These include Action for AIDS Singapore and several self-help patient support groups. These groups are committed to AIDS prevention and providing support to people with HIV/AIDS, caregivers and volunteers. They receive government funding for HIV prevention activities and have given the government strong support over the years. The government also promotes further training and research activities.

9  At regional and international levels, the Ministry of Health cooperates with ASEAN, the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS and provides them with regular updates on the HIV/AIDS situation in Singapore.

10  There is as yet no drug that can cure the disease nor is there any vaccine for its prevention. Singapore believes education and prevention programmes remain the keys to reducing HIV transmission. The cooperation of the public, private, and people sectors, will be vital in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS.