The number of new HIV cases dropped last year, according to figures released yesterday by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
The number of new cases had increased at an alarming rate before this year because of the increase in intravenous drug use, the CDC said.
Last year 2,942 new cases of HIV were reported, down from 3,399 in 2005, which was the year with the highest number of new cases, the CDC said.
However, the number of infections is still high compared with 2003 and earlier, it added.
Before 2004, HIV cases reported in Taiwan per year had never exceeded 1,000.
According to the CDC, there are currently 13,103 confirmed cases of HIV in the nation.
CDC Deputy Director Shih Wen-yi (施文儀) said he was glad the center's programs to fight the spread of HIV, including a needle exchange program, had had some effect.
"Unlike the spread of HIV through sexual contact, the spread of HIV through drug use has been explosive," Shih said at a press conference yesterday. "Frankly, if this program to fight the spread of HIV had not worked, we would have been at our wits' end."
CDC figures indicate that the nation experienced almost no drug-related HIV infections up to 2002.
By 2005, however, there were 2,463 new cases of HIV attributed to infections from needle sharing.
The CDC's pilot clean needle program began in late 2005. Since then the program has grown to include 730 distribution points in 23 cities and towns. Last year, the percentage of infections attributed to needle sharing fell to 60 percent from 72 percent in 2005.
The Tainan County Government is discussing making clean needles more easily available at convenience store chains such as 7-Eleven and Hi-Life.
"If this plan goes through, it would be a world-first," Shih said, adding that the high level of acceptance of the need to provide clean needles to addicts was a "sign of civilization."
Apart from the CDC's needle exchange program and publicity campaigns, the center also runs a methadone program that is still in its early stages. The CDC said that almost 2,000 addicts had undergone methadone treatment so far at 19 clinics. Methadone prevents many serious withdrawal symptoms caused while ending heroin use.
The CDC hopes to expand its methadone program to 4,000 addicts by the end of the year and 50,000 addicts within three years.
The Department of Health is working with the Justice Department to provide methadone to addicts before they leave prison.
Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) on Wednesday said decommissioned coast guard vessels were given to the Philippines to enhance regional rescue capacity and would not affect Taiwanese fishers’ rights and benefits. Kuan made the remarks after confirmation on Tuesday that a 500-tonne Coast Guard Administration (CGA) patrol and rescue vessel would be given to the Philippine Coast Guard. The donation ceremony was reportedly done in Manila, but whether the vessel — previously numbered “CG123” and named Kinmen (金門) — has been handed over has yet to be confirmed. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) on Wednesday criticized the donation for “taking
The Ministry of Finance today announced the winning numbers for the July-August uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$314,663) special prize is 89996565, while the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 91098182. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 54348835, 44991397 and 06595111. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits qualify for the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers are eligible for the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
The National Police Agency’s Third Special Police Corps yesterday said that from May to July, it intercepted five smuggling operations from China, seizing more than 70,000 counterfeit Beyblades with an estimated infringement value of NT$34.45 million (US$1.08 million). It added that any bootleg unit that reached the local market could present hidden health hazards to players. Beyblades, a line of spinning toy tops used in competitive gaming and developed in Japan by toy company Takara Tomy, have become popular in Taiwan, making them a target for fraudsters. The Third Special Police Corps, dedicated to safeguarding maritime borders and trade lines,
Five customers who made purchases at 7-Eleven stores across Taiwan won the top NT$10 million (US$313,716) special prize in the July-August uniform invoice lottery, including one who spent just NT$27 on photocopying, the convenience store chain said today. The five special prize winners made their purchases at stores in Taoyuan, Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung, 7-Eleven operator President Chain Store Corp said. The five winning purchases included NT$29 spent on snacks at a store in Taoyuan's Zhongli District (中壢), NT$27 on photocopying at a store in Taipei's Zhongzheng District (中正), NT$139 on City Cafe coffee and daily necessities at a store in Taipei's
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