The nation’s HIV infection rate is on the rise, with one person diagnosed with the virus every four hours, the Taiwan Lourdes Association said.
As of Oct. 31, there were 22,491 reported cases of HIV in Taiwan, with most of the infected in the 20-to-39 age bracket, association secretary-general Paul Hsu (徐森杰) said, citing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The number of HIV infections is growing, with an average of 180 people testing positive each month, he said. To acquaint the public with issues affecting HIV patients, the association surveyed 407 HIV-positive people nationwide in October and last month, he said.
“We found that more and more people are becoming worried about the government’s plan to stop offering free AIDS treatment,” he said.
Because of the growing number of AIDS cases in the country, the CDC has been exploring the possibility of subsidizing AIDS treatment rather than providing it free of cost as it has been doing for years.
The cost of treatment for each AIDS patient in the country is estimated at NT$30,000 (US$930) per month, which is equivalent to the average monthly salary of an office worker.
In the survey, about 45.2 percent of the respondents said they were following the government’s AIDS treatment policy closely, according to Hsu.
Other concerns mentioned were the development of a cure, maintaining good health and ways of leading a happy life, he said.
People diagnosed with HIV need a lot of support and attention from both the government and the public, Hsu said.
“With proper healthcare, persons infected with HIV can actually lead a normal life,” he said.
At a press conference on Wednesday, an HIV-positive man who identified himself as Kuan (管) said he had just returned from a four-day biking tour in China.
“I make sure I take good care of myself by keeping good hours and working out regularly,” he said. “A lot of fear originates from concern for self-protection and lack of understanding.”
“I have learned over the years to cope with my condition and hope we can gain public acceptance,” he said.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS