The Singapore AIDS Conference is a multi-sectoral biennial conference focused on HIV, first organised in 1988. It is Singapore's first HIV conference and is a forum that brings together the community and other stakeholders to share, learn and participate in the effort to achieve zero new HIV infections, zero HIV-related deaths, and zero stigma and discrimination.
The 14th Singapore AIDS Conference, co-organised by Action for AIDS, NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and National Skin Centre, was held on 30 November 2024[1]. With the theme of "Communities in Action", it highlighted how communities, healthcare providers, researchers and policymakers can work together to end HIV and STI transmission in Singapore.
Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State (MDDI & MOH), graced the event as the Guest of Honour. SMS Janil announced the national rollout of HIV self-testing kits at selected retail pharmacies by end-January 2025, augmenting existing screening programmes and making HIV services testing more accessible.
AfA launched a midterm update to the Community Blueprint to End HIV Transmission and AIDS in Singapore by 2030, first developed in 2019. The report brought together community partners including Project X, The Greenhouse and Transbefrienders to review the progress and challenges of the previous five years.
AfA was also proud to present the Red Ribbon Awards to six individuals and one organisation in recognition of their invaluable contributions to the HIV response in Singapore, namely, Prof David Lye, A/Prof Martin Chio, Dr Wong Chen Seong, A/Prof Sophia Archuleta, Cheryl Yeo, Victoria Wondersnatch and Project X.
Conference sessions were organised around the themes of community responses and action around HIV/STI prevention, testing, stigma and discrimination, and living well with HIV. The attendees were privileged to hear from a diverse range of presenters and three keynote speakers: Dr Otilia Scutelniciuc (UNAIDS), Susan Huang (Taiwan CDC) and Dr Wong Pui Li (University of Malaya).
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This article was written by Roy Tan.