In a bid to help the nation battle AIDS, the Executive Yuan yesterday created a Cabinet-level AIDS prevention commission and earmarked NT$182 million for programs to fight the spread of the deadly disease.
Vice Premier Lai In-jaw (賴英照) yesterday briefed the press about the functions and purpose of the new commission. He said that it is viatal to start prevention efforts as soon as possible.
"This is a critical moment. I'm afraid that if we don't do it now, it may be too late," Lai said.
According to Lai, there were 60 million HIV carriers worldwide as of November, while the total number of people who have died from AIDS has risen to 25 million.
The first AIDS patient in Taiwan was diagnosed in 1984. As of last month, there were 3,538 HIV carriers in Taiwan and more than 700 people had died from AIDS.
With the yearly growth rate of the disease reaching 20 percent, health authorities predict that Taiwan would have about 75,000 HIV carriers in 2011 and 200,000 in 2021.
Making matters worse is that the average age of HIV carriers is dropping. Statistics show that one in every five HIV carriers in Taiwan is between 15 and 24 years old.
"Our goal is to see the growth rate drop by 5 percent every year," Lai said.
The new commission is composed of four medical experts and officials from 12 ministries and departments, including the ministries of the interior and foreign affairs, the Government Information Office and the Department of Health.
Lai serves as the convener of the commission, which will meet every six months. Each government agency involved in the commission will also establish its own task force, which will meet once every two months.
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