BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- There were 57 new HIV infections among citizens and permanent residents in Brunei in 2023, according to the local daily Borneo Bulletin on Sunday.
Among those infected, 96 percent were men, with the majority aged between 20 and 34.
A total of 492 HIV cases have been reported in Brunei from 1986 to 2023, with 96 deaths recorded, Brunei's Minister of Health Mohd Isham was quoted as saying.
Brunei is one of countries with a low rate of HIV infections. However, the rate has increased in the past few years, the minister said.
It was due to the increasing public awareness of HIV and detection among high-risk groups, where they came forward to be tested and obtain information on HIV preventive measures, according to the minister.
"Therefore, it is important to reduce stigma and discrimination by increasing public awareness and knowledge about HIV, and addressing myths and misconceptions about the virus," said the minister. ■