The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has today released the latest quarterly figures on the local HIV/AIDS situation in the third quarter of 2015. The figures show that from July to September 2015 there were 189 new HIV infections. This is the second highest quarterly number since records began.
Chief Executive of AIDS Concern Andrew Chidgey said in response to the figures, ‘It is very bad news that we have the second highest number of new infections since records began. Infections of gay and bisexual men constitute half of the new cases and many of the new cases are among young people. AIDS Concern urges people at risk to test for HIV more regularly and to practice safer sex. We also urge the Hong Kong Advisory Council on AIDS (ACA), which is conducting consultation on the Recommended HIV/AIDS Strategies for Hong Kong (2017-2021), to strengthen prevention efforts when devising the Strategies.’
Next week to coincide with World AIDS Day AIDS Concern will be launching a range of data and campaigns. To remind Hong Kong about prevention of HIV and the importance of using condoms, AIDS Concern will release a new campaign video called Tough Question in collaboration with production houses Treacle and Cheeky Monkey Productions on World AIDS Day (1 December).
Josie Mitchell, Producer of Treacle said, ‘The astonishingly high rate of HIV infection in Hong Kong is a massive shock to most, so we made Tough Question to remind people from high risk groups and all walks of life that HIV remains a very real risk. We have created something to make people laugh, scratch their heads and ultimately play safe. The film features a diverse mix of nationalities, genders and sexual orientations with both Cantonese and English being spoken – HIV doesn’t discriminate, so why would we? Starring DJ Angus Wong and the newly crowned Mr Gay World, Mass Luciano, we hope this campaign reaches the widest possible audience.’
For further information, please contact
Annie Li
Communications Officer
AIDS Concern
Tel: 2898 4411 / 9753 9074
annie.li@aidsconcern.org.hk