CDC confident all S'poreans can access anti-HIV drugs by 2010
By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 01 December 2008 2314 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Singapore's Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) said it is confident all HIV patients in Singapore will have access to anti-HIV drugs by 2010.

That is the year which the World Health Organization is targeting for anti-HIV medication to be made universally accessible.

To mark World AIDS Day on Monday, a photo exhibition was displayed at VivoCity. It was part of the CDC's efforts to educate the public that HIV patients can lead normal lives.

By showing how HIV patients go about their daily lives, the exhibition also aims to reduce the stigma associated with the disease.

Many patients still remain silent on their HIV status for fear of losing their jobs and being stigmatised.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan launched the exhibition, which will run till December 5 and will move to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital from December 15 to 17.

In fact, with early detection and proper medication, the CDC said, HIV patients can live up to 60 years old.

However, two in 10 HIV-positive Singaporeans earn less than S$2,000 per month which makes it difficult for them to pay for anti-HIV drugs, which cost about S$1,000 a month.

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- CNA/vm