the the - Action for AIDS

issue number 32• mita (p) no.301/10/2005 • free of charge 

the 

act

editor-in-chief 

Roy Chan 

guest editor 

Justin Ng 

editorial board 

Benedict Jacob-Thambiah 

Dawn Mok 

Lee Cheng Chuan 

Paul Toh 

contributors 

Fu ShaoSheng 

Heather Chi 

Indulekshmi Rajeswari 

Justin Ng 

Lee Cheng Chuan 

Lee On Yee 

Nicholas Leo Qi Jie 

Patrick S. Lahue 

Philana Neo 

Raphael Meyer 

Roy Chan 

Sharon Ling 

Wang Liansheng 

Wong Shimin 

The Act is published by 

Action for AIDS (Singapore), 

c/o DSC Clinic 

31 Kelantan Lane #02-16 

Singapore 200031 

Tel : 6254 0212 

Fax : 6256 5903 

Email : afa@pacific.net.sg 

Website : www.afa.org.sg 

MITA (P) No. 301/10/2005 

The views expressed in this magazine do 

not necessarily reflect those of the Editorial 

Board. To help raise AIDS awareness in the 

global fight against this disease, we 

encourage reproduction of the articles for 

non-profit educational purposes. Please 

inform us first and credit The Act as the 

source. If you are interested to be on our 

mailing list, please send us your contact 

details. 

coversynopsis 

Sexual Paradox, Economical Dilemma, Cyclical Havoc, Mindless Hysteria 

Mohd Zamal Arip 

Consolation Prize (Poster) 

Art Against AIDS 2000 

My artwork is a social parody of an existing sexual paradigm. Sexual Paradox: Battle of 

the senses – youths inundated with sexual images, mostly without context versus religious 

and moral upbringing, and AIDS campaigns promoting marital and responsible sex 

(advertising images). Economic Dilemma: Media inclined to sell sex for profit rather than 

providing funds for AIDS awareness or sex education for youths. Cyclical Havoc: AIDS, 

like other diseases throughout history, find expression in the arts (paintings & posters). 

Mindless Hysteria: Outrage against prejudice and political inaction causes mushrooming 

of movements towards education and understanding (humanity represented by sea of 

human figures). 

missionstatement 

“AfA is a caring NGO committed to AIDS prevention, advocacy and support. Our mission is 

to prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS through continuous education targeted at vulnerable 

groups; to advocate for access to affordable care and against HIV/AIDS discrimination; and 

to provide support for PWAs, caregivers and volunteers.” 

contents 

Editorial 1 

We Want the Facts 2 

ABCs... Without The C 3 

Teenage Acts 4 

My Kind Of Music 6 

Tattoo 8 

Welcome Speech at AfA Endowment Fund Charity Dinner 9 

AfA Endowment Fund Charity Dinner 11 

8th ICAAP to be held in Sri Lanka in August 2007 12 

AfA’s Volunteers’ Get-Together & Office Warming 13 

1st AIDS Youth Seminar 14 

1st AIDS Youth Seminar Report 15 

Chloe 16 

That Bed 18 

Volunteer’s Report: Positive Prevention Retreat Singapore 2006 18 

Medical Update: HIV Superinfection: 

Should people already diagnosed with HIV be concerned? 20 

International News: The World AIDS Campaign (WAC) 22 

AfA Projects & Programmes 24

This issue of the ACT has as its theme "AIDS and 

Youth". Young persons the world over are 

vulnerable to HIV and other sexually-transmitted 

infections (STIs). UNAIDS estimates that half of 

the world's new HIV infections occurs in persons 

under the age of 25 years. Here in Singapore 4 

male teenagers were diagnosed with HIV in 2005, 

a total of 22 teens have been diagnosed since 

the start of the epidemic in Singapore. The 

incidence of other STIs continue to climb, in 2005 

there were over 650 STIs in teens notified to the 

Department of STI Control. 

Young persons rarely have the knowledge, skills 

or experience to practice safe sex. At the same 

time young persons are growing up faster and 

reaching physical and sexual maturity at 

progressively younger ages. They are also exposed 

to sexually charged messages in popular culture, 

and they have greater opportunities to hook up 

with potential sexual partners than ever before. 

Young people must be provided with clear and 

evidence based information about the birds and 

the bees. However young people are often denied 

unbiased sex and health education because 

parents and some authorities fear it encourages 

early sexual activity. But there is compelling 

evidence from studies conducted around the 

world and in many different cultures that, in fact, 

sex education encourages responsibility. 

We are indeed proud to bring you articles and 

pieces on HIV/AIDS written by young persons in 

Singapore. It is time that we listen to them and 

heed their voices, on a matter that already has 

and will continue to have a profound impact on 

young persons everywhere. 

A/Prof Roy Chan 

Editor 

editorial 

In 2005, I was flattered to be asked my opinion of the relationship 

between teenagers and HIV/AIDS by many publications, and to 

be featured for my work in raising HIV awareness among young 

people. All this coverage outside the traditional period of World 

AIDS Day heralds new thinking in the media, and by extension, 

the wider community's view of AIDS - it is something to be taken 

seriously and decisive action is needed. 

The experience that I've had working with groups, such as outof-school 

teenagers, not previously reached out to, has been a 

refreshing one as it has radically altered my pre-conceived notions 

of how much they actually know; most of them have a firm 

understanding of HIV/AIDS and contraceptive methods. Indeed, 

there is much to be said for street education. Unfortunately, they, 

like many of the still schooling teenagers, have only been partially 

exposed to the entire ABC approach. ABC comprises 'A' for 

Abstinence, which is only fail-proof way to avoid contracting HIV, 

'B' for Being Faithful to one sexual partner, and lastly 'C' for 

Condom Use for those sexually active. 

The ABC approach must be presented whole in its full integrity. 

With younger persons, the 'A' of the ABC is overemphasized 

as the being only guaranteed line of defence. ABC is a pillar of 

AIDS Awareness and is widely advocated by various NGOs such 

as UNAIDS and YouthAIDS. Many teenagers here have heard 

only the Abstinence message. While the proponents of Abstinence 

as the one and only approach have good intentions, these 

intentions often backfire. Filtering out facts does not serve the 

interests of those already sexually active and in need of sound 

counsel. 

Factual HIV/AIDS education must not be hobbled by the strictures 

of self-appointed moral guardians. It is a medical condition like 

leukæmia and cancer. If those stricken with HIV have only 

themselves to blame, do we by the same token censure stroke 

victims for overeating leading to blocked arteries? Gluttony and 

lust are both supposed to be sins. 

After I was invited by Roy, the AfA President, to be Guest Editor 

for this Youth issue, I assembled a team of capable young women 

and men from Raffles Junior College. Having worked with them 

for some time, I am assured that the pressing but delicate work 

of raising HIV awareness among our young is left in good hands 

as I leave for the United States to further my education. As one 

of my last projects before I hit the books again, I leave you with 

the works of these JC students. 

Justin Ng 

Guest Editor 

E-mail: JustinNg@fas.harvard.edu 

01 

action for aids

By Shaosheng 

We want the 

"Ask your father, don't ask me." 

"You should ask your mother." 

Why not find out for yourself? 

Take it upon yourself to garner accurate and reliable information 

on sex. Demand for your sake better sex education in order to 

make better life choices. The Internet, for example, holds a wealth 

of useful information regarding girls' and guys' health, sex and 

sexuality, peer pressure, effects of puberty, love and relationships, 

birth control and condoms, sexually transmitted diseases, 

pregnancy, teen parenting, abortion, adoption, emotional health, 

abuse and violence, body image, alcohol and drugs, etc. All those 

stuff on sex that you really want to know, with no judgements, no 

nonsense, for your sake. It is true that much of the information 

on the Internet is unreliable, and with those myths, you could 

potentially make decisions that you would regret in future. However, 

if you know where to look, the Internet can be a trustworthy 

authority on sex issues. 

Examples of such websites include: 

Sex, Etc. A website by teens for teens 

@ http://www.sxetc.org/ 

Sex like it is exactly as it is 

@ http://www.likeitis.org/indexuk.html 

Action for Aids (AFA) is a caring NGO committed to AIDS prevention, 

advocacy and support. 

@ http://www.afa.org.sg/ 

That's not to say that one should not look to parents, teachers, 

or even friends if they are reliable, for information on sex. In 

Singapore, 10% of students turn to their parents in learning about 

sex, and a further 10% turn to their teachers. That leaves 80% 

of the students who acquire information, true or false as they may 

be, from their peers, media and Internet. It is part of our humanity 

that we are curious about sex, especially if we are teenagers 

undergoing puberty. And we have the right to gain accurate and 

reliable information on sex and its consequences. How else do 

02 

action for aids 

facts 

we make the appropriate decisions when the time comes? It is 

true that Asian cultural traditions place emphasis on propriety and 

the observance of strict moral and social conduct, thus modesty 

and restrained sexuality are valued. Partly due to this, some 

prudish parents are reluctant to discuss the taboo topic of sex as 

they feel it compromises the integrity of the family. Some parents 

even believe that a lack of knowledge regarding sexuality would 

prevent premarital sexual activity. But does it? Many students are 

sexually active but parents and guardians often choose to ignore 

this. Knowing the facts about AIDS does not encourage promiscuity. 

On the contrary, when armed with facts and knowledge, teenagers 

tend to be more conscientious, reserved and cautious. Most 

important of all, studies from around the world show that wellinformed 

teenagers often put off sex until their wedding day. And 

even if they do not, they still have the facts to make informed 

decisions about their sex lives. 

As teenagers, we want the facts and not an excuse to be preached 

at. We want the information in order to make better choices in 

life. In fact, give us too much information, and then put your trust 

in the fact that we have been brought up right and would make 

the right decisions when the time comes. 

Fu ShaoSheng, 17, is a first year student at Raffles Junior 

College. He enjoys reading and writing in his free time. 

He finds that he better understands social issues through 

writing about them and sharing his views with other people. 

E-mail: titan77@hotmail.com

ABCs... 

There is a battle raging out there. No, it is not a war against 

terrorism, nor quests for liberation in any number of conflicted 

countries. This war takes on a far more benign form, and requires 

no bloodshed. This is the war over the hearts and minds of 

teenagers, between the conservative/religious faction, and the 

liberal faction, over everything from gay issues to Intelligent Design 

versus Darwinism, to sex education. 

It is the hijacking of the sex education agenda which is of concern 

here, for this author believes it is dangerous. 

AIDS is a serious issue: at this point in time, there is no available 

vaccine or cure for it. It is up to us to stop the tide of this virus, 

through proper education, and condoms are presently the best 

guards against this tiny killer. Hijacking this aim for a political 

agenda is not only selfish, but will ultimately backfire, and backfire 

badly. 

Close to home, few would have forgotten the uproar over sex 

education talks in a certain JC, where representatives of a faithbased 

organisation gave a very one-sided, incomplete and 

inaccurate talk on birds and bees. It is useless to expound on 

how inane that particular lecture was, for it is obvious that condoms 

do not have pores that are big enough to let HIV pass through, 

or else water molecules, smaller than the HIV virus, would also 

be able to pass through. [If this was the case, then a civil law suit 

against Durex would have been in order long time ago] Also among 

its many claims was that any sex other than procreative sex was 

mutual masturbation – which credits itself as a utterly religiously 

conservative sentiment. 

This religious conservatism is a global phenomenon, a movement, 

a call to return to the fundamentals, in a world which many religious 

leaders feel, has lost its morals. And unfortunately, in this tide of 

conservatism, politics has been dragged in and tied up inextricably. 

It is not just confined to polarised countries like USA, where the 

growing clout of religious extremism [a form which often hijacks 

the original soul and purpose of the faith in question], to zealots 

who regularly call for the deaths of "sinners", who blame weather 

patterns on gay people 1 , and who pray for more soldiers to be 

killed in the Iraq War to prove their point that America is being 

By Indu Lekshmi 

without the C 

1 http://gaylife.about.com/b/a/198659.htm 

2 http://www.godhatesamerica.com/ 

3 http://www.slate.com/id/2139675/ 

punished for being "immoral" 2 . It is not confined to South Dakota 

where abortion has been made illegal, even if you have been 

brutally raped. 

So where does that leave sex education? In order to enforce their 

morals, many religious organisations have taken to lobbying for 

Abstinence-only sex education 3 , or going to schools and giving 

the talks themselves [and the schools, scarily enough, are letting 

them].Abstinence-only programs inevitably fail, for they 

misunderstand the human mind, and expect it to be pure. They 

fail to take into account that in the heat of the moment, even the 

most pro-abstinence person can succumb. Furthermore, you 

have to count those who do not consider abstinence and virginity 

as virtues, and are going to have sex anyway. On the contrary, 

if young people are trained in the fact that safe sex is a must, that 

will cut down on the number of people in danger. Not only that, 

the ABC program reduces rates of teen pregnancy, as opposed 

to Abstinence-only, due to the usage of condoms. 

Better no information than misinformation. I can understand a 

parent's anxiety that his child might be sexually active, and might 

"stray". I can understand the anxiety over what is perceived as 

"eroding morals", induced by a sex-obsessed media – and peer 

pressure. And yes, many parents do not want to expose their 

child to the idea that pre-marital sex is okay with a condom - but 

chances are, they are exposed to the idea of pre-marital sex, and 

would be inclined to try it. Might as well tell them about the 

condom as well. 

What would you rather have? A sexually active, but healthy, 

condom-using population, or a misinformed one where citizens 

continue to contract and die from AIDS? It is possible to educate 

teenagers to abstain, but this, as I've said, is hard to achieve, and 

will never reach a 100% success rate. Hence, for the small 

percentage that continues to have pre-marital sex, proper sex 

education is absolutely important – religion has no part to play in 

this, and should not have one, for it clouds all objectivity. 

Indulekshmi Rajeswari is an 18 year old double maths student at 

Raffles Junior College, and has been volunteering with AfA for 

over a year (specifically with the Youth Outreach Programme for 

5 months.) She is passionate about equal rights for all, and loves 

to make a difference in her own capactity. 

03 

E-mail: indulekshmi@gmail.com 


04 


By Wang Liansheng 

Teenage Acts 

1 www.mendaki.org.sg 

Let's face it, in this time and era, sex sells. It has become such an important staple in 

our everyday fare; no one leaves sex out of the picture. Shows that keep us glued to 

the goggle box religiously like Sex and The City, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy 

have all employed sex as a tool to attract attention, or a fundamental to build the whole 

story on and enthrall the audience with much raunch and excitement. 

Following the expose of teenage issues through commentary shows like Get Real, the 

limelight is once again cast upon the teenagers of Singapore. In fact, teenage sex is 

no longer a new thing; it has become a "culture" of this new MTV and porn addicted 

population. Various incidents have marked the birth of this new generation, Generation 

S – (Generation for Sex), they include the whole debacle of the Sarong Party Girl [Miss 

Izzy], NYP Tammy, Paris Hilton's sex romp, just to name a few. 

Following this evolution of Generation S, there has been a marked increase in the 

number of teenage abortions. In 2004, the number of Malay adolescent girls who were 

pregnant out of wedlock and handled by the Muslim Trust Fund Association peaked a 

high of 355, the highest in 5 years 1 . While some critics may argue that this phenomenon 

is a manifestation of the immoral values of teenagers, the writer prefers to believe that 

such figures reflects only the statistics of premarital teenage sex, and nothing more as 

these numbers do not generally mean that teenagers are getting more promiscuous.

Instead, one should expound on the various reasons behind such an issue. [Throughout 

this commentary, it should not be interpreted that the writer is advocating casual sex, but 

instead, the readers should view this as an experiment to broaden the parochial mindsets] 

Firstly, the increase in the number of teenagers having sex would signify that these teenagers 

are taking charge of their lives. One should abolish the frame of mind these teenagers are 

naïve and innocent when it comes to losing their chastity. Teenagers are no longer having 

sex without thinking, considering the fact that more teenagers are better educated, as 

compared to the generation eons ago, and in addition, they do know how to protect 

themselves, be it physically or psychologically. This group of teenagers is going through 

a metamorphosis, and at the end of this experience, they will become more independent 

and less overprotected young adults. We have been advocating a society where spontaneity 

and independence are attributes preferred and the metamorphosis is indeed in line with 

this stand. 

While some may argue that teenagers should be controlled by their parents, it is inevitable 

that at a certain point in time, parents have to let go. So, why not sooner than later? In 

fact, Asian children have been touted to be less creative and entrepreneurial, all because 

of the fact that they have been too overprotected during their early cognitive development 

period. As such, shouldn't one at least take solace in the fact that teenagers now are 

getting more independent? 

Moreover, when these teenagers engage in sexual acts, to a large extent, some may be 

testing waters, and being more stringent in finding their other half. Sexual commitment 

may be used as a tool for manipulative teenagers to deceive the other partner, but many 

times, teenagers nowadays are no longer naïve and gullible. Sex has become an option 

chosen by two individuals. 

Indeed, others may say that sexual compatibility may not be the only criterion in choosing 

partners, but it is undeniably a factor when it comes to divorces. It may be an ideal situation 

when one talks of saving oneself for marriage and such, because in reality, how many 

people are now chaste and pure as desired in the generation years ago? Sexual compatibility 

is becoming increasingly important as we move on into a world where people are being 

more open-minded and picky in their choices. There is no doubt a reason why more local 

girls are turning to expatriates and foreigners for their other halves. 

In conclusion, teenagers engaging in sex may not be a negative thing after all. However, 

one has to take that the preconditions for sex must be present and that is: one has to be 

mature and clear-headed enough to understand that sex is not a tool but a sacred union 

of two souls. We are definitely not living in a world where celibacy is the ultimate rule, 

neither are we allowing casual sex to be rampant and unrestricted. There is a clear 

distinction between casual sex and mature union, for the former is an irresponsible act 

of degradation, while the latter would be a choice thought over and made by the teenager. 

Wang Liansheng is currently a second year student at Raffles Junior College. He often dabbles with Chinese 

Drama and is taking a course on Chemistry, Physics, and Double Mathematics. As this is his first time 

participating in an AIDS youth programme, he hopes that it would be a fruitful seminar for him and for the rest 

of the participants. 

E-mail: alisontheadams@hotmail.com 

05 


I meticulously washed all my exposed skin under the running 

water and wiped it clean with both tissues and alcohol swabs. 

I deftly hid my thinning mane of hair under a shower cap and 

placed all side burns behind my ears as far as possible. I 

donned on a Martian green surgical coat and used disposable 

booties to cover my shoes. Pulling on surgical latex gloves 

over my withered hands, I sought not to touch any surfaces 

to avoid contamination. A four-ply face mask was last in line 

and hid my pale features. After the tedious process of "debacteriafication", 

I was finally ready to enter the ward containing 

my little bundle of joy, my son Avian. 

Treading silently across the tiled floor, I approached the 

sleeping toddler in a plastic cradle. His face was ruddy as 

most newborns were, in sharp contrast with the white sheets 

that cocooned him. His little head rested on his flat pillow, 

his face relaxed in open innocence of a naive angel. His elfin 

chest moved up and down as he snored lightly, wrinkling 

his nose once in a while as he ventured the dreamlands in 

peace. 

It was so hard for me to believe that just five days ago, his 

life was in danger of ending. His birth was a difficult one for 

I was weak from a cold I caught during my pregnancy and 

had not been receiving enough nutrients. The doctors were 

extremely worried that his presence would hinder what slim 

chance I had of recovering, especially since I was an AIDS 

victim, and his newly-developed organs would fail at the lack 

of sustenance. They suggest an induced birth, to bring his 

birthday two weeks earlier for both our sakes. I consented 

to it and the appeal passed through. 

06 


By Philana Neo 

My kind of 

music

It was extremely trying on the medical team, especially the 

doctor-in-charge, Dr. Theresa Maria as they used ways and 

means to ensure that I would not pass on this accursed virus 

to my little boy. Dr. Maria so was overwrought that even as she 

tried to comfort me, her hand trembled with anxiety and worry 

that the operation would be a failure. 

Unfortunately, all her efforts dwindled to naught as Avian tested 

HIV positive. She refused to see me after the birthing, too 

ashamed and disappointed at the outcome. She was unaware 

that I did not blame her for I know she is not at fault. In fact, I 

had to thank her profusely for helping me through my pregnancy 

and coping with my ailment. If it were not for her, I doubt that I 

would have had the courage to live through these turbulent eight 

months. 

Gazing at the life lying on the thin mattress, I thanked all my 

lucky stars and guardian angels that I had made it this far to 

look into the face of my child. Avian looked like his deceased 

father, hooked nose and a wide mouth tweaked upwards at the 

ends in a mischievous way, a head of light-brownish hair and 

adorable double chin. The doctors claimed that he is still too 

young to show any emotions but I disagree. Avian liked to smile 

with his mouth wide open when he was having a particularly 

sweet dream, showing off his toothless gums. Sometimes he 

made a cute gurgling nose before pouting as if dissatisfied with 

the reverie that the Sandman has woven for him. 

However, the loveliest sound that he made would be when he 

cried. His voice started off as a whispering whimper and climbed 

both in pitch and volume until it rivaled an ambulance siren. His 

lungs were so powerful that the nurse from three doors down 

can hear him. I feel so overjoyed as I heard him cry - proof that 

he was alive. He might have AIDS like I do but he was not 

weakened to a mewling, hapless kitten like I was. He was a 

warrior who vehemently protested against the indignity of his 

illness. He cried to summon attention, to demand the milk 

required to live. This was an act of his will to survive. I felt proud 

that my son had not given in to his plight and I strove to aid him 

in living. I cleaned myself religiously before I visited him to ensure 

that I passed on none of the germs that plagued me. I loved 

him therefore I do not touch, hold or kiss him without a barrier, 

however thin between us. I want to make sure he lived the fullest 

of his expected five to seven years. 

Gently stroking his forehead, I listen to the sweet snoring Avian 

produces. All the sounds he makes, no matter how ear-piercing, 

are my kind of heavenly music. 

Philana Neo mainly loves to writes fanfiction and poems on occasion. She is currently trying to write an original 

short story. She likes Japanese anime and is learning how to draw them as well. 

E-mail: mua_banana@yahoo.com.sg 

07 


08 


By Sharon Ling 

Tattoo 

No sign of fear or pain tainted the man's features as a slim sewing 

needle danced on his back, and the crude black ink melted into 

the pincushion of open wounds. Moments later, the inmate rose, 

a tattooed scorpion proudly displayed, indicating his newfound 

status as a member of the gang. He prowled the enclosed 

compound proudly, knowing full well that the tattoo would gain 

him respect from the other gangsters during his stay in prison. 

"Next," the leader ordered, eyeing the bloodstained needle 

impatiently. A tall, brawny man moved forward and laid facedown 

on the hard mattress. Under the dim light of small torch, the 

needle's solo ballet wove the gang's emblem into his skin, mixing 

the other man's blood with his own. It was a symbolism of new 

"brotherhood", and the young man felt a tremendous sense of 

belonging and satisfaction. 

Little did he know that with each prick of the needle, a deadly 

virus pirouetted further up his blood stream, burying itself deeper 

within his body's biological labyrinth. It would remain unnoticed 

for the next few years, only announcing its presence even after 

his jail term was over. The young man would mend his ways, fall 

in love and marry, unaware of the dormant strain entering and 

replicating within the body of his spouse, and later, his children. 

At age twenty-five, the first signs of the disease would manifest 

in seemingly harmless headaches, which increased in frequency 

and magnitude till they hindered his work performance. Fluctuations 

in appetite and concentration levels would leave him eventually 

fatigued, and a visit to the doctor would certify the presence of 

the destructive virus. 

He would struggle with the disease, and watch, helpless, as the 

innocent beauty of his children was silently ravaged by the same 

affliction that had wrecked his life. Their limpid eyes would gaze 

at him questioningly, not knowing why such an expression of 

torment crossed their father's features as he cuddled them, not 

knowing why he sometimes cried as they approached him in all 

manner of childhood's insouciance after a day at school. More 

than the physical suffering would be his inward torment, the plague 

of guilt, the despair and despondency. This consequence of a 

moment's folly would continue to adversely affect the lives of his 

children, undeterred by the hands of time. 

Aged forty-two, he would die. His young wife, worn pale and 

gaunt by the rigours of her new breadwinner role in the family, 

would sob as her husband's funeral cortege snaked down the 

street. Despair would overwhelm her as the sleeping germ in her 

body and her children's awakened. Sealing her kitchen door shut, 

she would turn on the gas tap and wait patiently for the poisonous 

fumes to woo her and her family into eternal slumber. 

The young man's foolish, fatal mistake had a high price to pay. 

It was not worth it. 

Sharon Ling is a JC1 Arts student at Raffles Junior College. This is her first time participating in an AIDS 

youth programme, and she hopes that this magazine will encourage readers to take a definitive, proactive 

stand against AIDS. 

E-mail: iynixl@yahoo.com.sg

Welcome speech at 

By A/Prof Roy Chan 

AfA Endowment Fund 

Charity Dinner 

It's my privilege and honor to say a few words to start off tonight's programme on behalf of Action for 

AIDS and the Board of Trustees of the AfA Endowment Fund. 

The AfA Endowment Fund was set up with proceeds from the Princess Diana Memorial Event in 1997, 

and was created to ensure the long term financial stability of Action for AIDS the society. 

AfA has been at the forefront of AIDS awareness, support and advocacy since it was founded in 1988. 

We are a small organization, operating from a rented shop space off Serangoon Road, with a staff of 3 

full time and 3 part time individuals. In spite of the humble size it has, I believe, achieved a great deal – 

the result of dedication of its Executive Committee, staff and network of volunteers. 

I would like to take a few moments to describe a few programmes and activities – 

In the area of Care and welfare – 

• support and fund activities of peer groups that help infected individuals cope with their infection 

• for over 15 years provided subsidies to patients who cant afford life saving treatment 

• for over 10 years assisted HIV-infected pregnant mothers pay for anti retroviral drugs to prevent 

mother-to-child transmission of HIV 

• through our contacts with health care providers overseas, we have expedited access to 

affordable anti HIV care in neighbouring countries 

Among educational activities are – 

• operate AIDS telephone helplines 

• in 1991 we started the anonymous HIV counseling and testing, a service that is still in operation, 

and that in 2005 provided testing services to over 5300 people 

• provide educational talks to schools, organizations and businesses 

• conduct intervention campaigns targeting communities and individuals who are most vulnerable 

to HIV infection 

advocacy 

• AfA has since kept AIDS on the front burner in the media and public mind through staging 

of exhibitions and conferences and the annual AIDS Candlelight Memorials and World AIDS 

Day events 

• it argued successfully for a change in the 24 hour cremation rules, persons dying from AIDS 

can now to be buried after a proper wake, and also played an important role in amending 

regulations that compelled Malay -Muslim patients to be buried in coffins, 

• highlighted the forced repatriation of HIV- infected foreign spouses of Singaporeans 

• we continue to monitor acts of discrimination against HIV-infected individuals for example 

dismissals of people because they were HIV-positive, and we provide and coordinate legal 

assistance to these individuals, 

• at the same time we have also highlight positive actions of enlightened businesses and 

organizations who have gone out of their way to help infected persons by providing employment 

and support 

09 


10 


There were 255 individuals diagnosed with HIV in 2005, a decrease of 11% compared with 2004. 

This is a good trend, however we cannot afford to be complacent. 

Ladies and gentlemen, your generosity will go a long way in enabling us to continue these and 

other programmes to combat AIDS and its negative effects in Singapore. 

The Endowment Fund receives able advice and guidance from Wong Partnership and HSBC. 

The accounts are audited by Deloitte & Touche. These organizations have waived many of their 

usual fees and have in some cases provided their services pro bono. I understand representatives 

from Wong partnership and HSBC are in the audience tonight and would like to acknowledge 

their invaluable support. 

There are several other people I would like to mention. 

Starting with our celebrated chef for tonight – Suzanne Goin. Suzanne's rise to the top of her 

career has been nothing short of meteoric. She has won countless culinary accolades, as have 

her 2 restaurants in California – Lucques and AOC. We are honoured and thrilled that you have 

taken the time from your busy schedule in Los Angeles to come here to personally direct the 

preparation of tonight's dinner. 

I would like to mention the Four Seasons Hotel particularly Mr. Christopher Norton and Mr. Nicholas 

Lim, thank you for staging this event with such style and perfection. We are deeply grateful to 

the sponsors of the auction items, champagne, wines, and vodka, performers and entertainers 

– too many to name individually – but duly acknowledged in the programme book for everyone 

to note. 

My sincere appreciation to each and everyone here tonight – both donors as well as guests. We 

are truly very grateful for your support. 

A special word of appreciation to Ms Deanna Wong for your energy and expertise in keeping 

tonight's programme humming smoothly along. 

Finally I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Organising Committee of tonight's 

event – Ms. Elen Fu, Ms. Jacqui Khoo and Mr. Nicholas Chan. 

For your tireless planning and meticulous organization You have done a truly remarkable job 

tonight, and clearly outdone yourselves, and I am indebted to you. 

The difficulties and obstacles you faced in putting this together may have at times been somewhat 

daunting and disappointing. But they do make success all the sweeter. And yet it is probably a 

reflection of the extreme difficulties faced by persons infected and affected by HIV infection in 

Singapore and indeed the world over on a daily basis. 

So it is also from them and for them that I would like to commend you, for your dedication and 

determination, and for your unwavering belief in the cause. 

Ladies and gentleman – I don't wish to prolong your anticipation any further. 

I thank you for your kind attention and wish you a most enjoyable evening ahead. 

Good evening.

AfA 

Endowment 

Fund Dinner 

The AfA Endowment Fund dinner raised 

over $250,000. It was held at the Four 

Seasons Hotel Ballroom. 

Reception 

volunteers 

Dr Woffles Wu, 

Dr Lim Juay Yong 

and friends 

Mr Eng Fook Hoon, Mr Timothy Cheah, Mr Ernest Tan 

Chef Susanne Goin 

Mr Dick Lee and entertainer 

Meow-Meow Revolution 

Ms Deanna Wong and Organising committee Ms. Elen Fu, 

Mr Nicholas Chan and Ms. Jacqui Khoo 

11 


8th ICAAP to be held in 

Sri Lanka in August 2007 

The International Congress on AIDS in Asia 

and the Pacific (ICAAP) has been a feature 

of our region for some 16 years. Starting 

in Canberra, Australia in 1990, it has since 

been hosted in New Delhi, Chiangmai, 

Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne and 

Kobe. It has grown and developed into a 

major platform through which all sectors 

of society, from government, communities, 

the media and the business community 

share in the common aspirations of their 

counterparts in other countries in the region 

in order to eradicate HIV and AIDS. 

Speaking at the media launch of the 8th 

ICAAP in Colombo recently, the President 

of the AIDS Society of Asia and the Pacific, 

Professor Myung-Hwan Cho of South 

Korea said "It is timely that the 8th ICAAP 

focuses the world's attention back onto 

the enormous problems that HIV/AIDS is 

presenting to South Asians and that an 

opportunity now exists, through the 

Congress, to collaboratively work out real 

solutions to HIV/AIDS: with regional 

neighbours in government who face the 

same or similar challenges; with experts 

in academia, civil society and the multilateral 

system of agencies; and, with the 

many people at grass roots working in and 

amongst the most vulnerable 

communities." 

The congress theme is – "WAVES OF 

CHANGE, WAVES OF HOPE", 

It is felt that this theme represents our 

collective regional commitment to address 

and overcome the many challenges of 

HIV/AIDS. The people of our region will do 

so in ways similar to how we faced and 

triumphed, over the adversities of the 

tsunami, in December 2004. 

12 


The four-day congress from August 19 to 

23, 2007, will bring together politicians, 

government officials, medical experts, 

academics, people living with HIV/AIDS, 

community workers and the media. They 

will discuss a wide range of issues with 

regard to this epidemic particularly those 

that are important and peculiar to this 

region. It will be the biggest-ever conference 

on medical and health issues to be held in 

Colombo in recent times. 

The congress is organized and presented 

by the Ministry of Health on behalf of the 

Government of Sri Lanka with the support 

of UNAIDS, UN agencies based in 

Colombo, and a string of NGOs and 

community-based workers. 

Make a statement. 

Make an impact. 

Make it digital. 

For more information contact: 

The 8th ICAAP Secretariat, 

3, Castle Avenue, 

Colombo 8, 

Sri Lanka. 

Phone : 00 94 11 2697731, 2693786 

Fax : 00 94 11 2688055 

E-mail : cds@eureka.lk 

Photography 

• 

Animation 

2006 

Click on www.afa.org.sg in July for competition details.

AfA’s 

Volunteers’ 

Get-Together & Office Warming 

An office warming for AfA's new premises was held on Saturday, 4 March. 

We also presented certificates to our new pool of volunteers who diligently 

completed 4 weeks of training. 35 volunteers attended the event. 

Congratulations Rohgina for completing the training. President AfA, A/P Roy Chan 

addressing the volunteers. 

What a sumptuous 

spread! 

Makan time! 

13 


Smile and food. Perfect combination!

From left – Peggy Koh, 

Sarah Ong, Thomas Ng, 

Indulekshmi Rajeswari, 

Justin Ng, Braema Mathi. 

14 


The 1st AIDS Youth Seminar held on 27th May 

2006 at the SPRING Singapore Auditorium saw 

a gathering of teenagers and other individuals 

from all walks of life discussing the impact of 

HIV/AIDS on society and the world. 

The award-winning 

ACSian Theatre. 

Seminar Chairman 

Justin Ng giving 

the opening 

address.

R E P O R T 

By Justin Ng 

The AIDS Youth Symposium, as you may know, is held in conjunction with the AIDS Business Conference 

once every two years. 

As I have served as Youth Chairperson for the past two symposia, I knew that the slant of the symposia was 

that of education – to teach teenagers the ABCs of HIV. 

This AIDS Youth Seminar is different; it is not meant to educate young persons on the intricacies of HIV nor 

the different modes of HIV transmission, but instead heightens AIDS awareness by showcasing how AIDS 

affects the different facets of society and how that makes AIDS a problem for everyone. 

As Chairman, I have had the honour to work with my capable organising committee comprising of Raffles 

Junior College students Sarah Ong and Indulekshmi Rajeswari and their team of nine peer volunteers. 

I assembled a diverse and dynamic group of workshop hosts some of whom you may know. They are: 

• Peggy Koh, a trained counsellor who established Oogachaga Women (a portfolio of Oogachaga). 

Oogachaga is a charitable pro-family sexuality affirming counseling and personal development agency. 

She was the host for the workshop on sexuality and AIDS; 

• Braema Mathi, the Immediate Past President of the Association of Women for Action and Research 

(AWARE) and a former Nominated Member of Parliament. She was the workshop host for the workshop 

on women and AIDS; 

• Thomas Ng, a lawyer with deep knowledge of and interest in HIV/AIDS legal issues. He hosted the 

workshop on Singapore law and AIDS; 

• and myself, Justin Ng. I have hosted the workshop on youth and AIDS. 

The start of the Seminar saw a drama performance by award-winning ACSian Theatre led by my former 

teacher, and noted debater Geetha Creffield who has seen me through my years of AIDS activism and 

supported me tirelessly, both during my junior college years and well after graduation. The performance was 

that of experimental drama tastefully done that engaged the audience through its use of repetition and 

movement. That ended on a hopefully note with the performers belting out 'Seasons of Love' from the 

musical Rent. 

I tried to incorporate all aspects of society and living that have been afflicted by the scrounge of the AIDS 

epidemic into this seminar and had young people discuss these issues at length and candidly. A total of 

approximately 80 participants came promptly at 9 a.m. on 27th May 2006. They came from different cultures 

and backgrounds; I have had students from abroad and members of the public. 

For my workshop, I asked my participants controversial but relevant questions such as 'Should HIV positive 

women be allowed the chance to pregnancy and motherhood?' and had them debate with people who have 

had different opinions. It was refreshing to have the students from an international school discuss these 

issues with the local students. 

A publication of commentaries, critique and literary works was printed in conjunction with the inaugural AIDS 

Seminar. For your convenience, it can be read on the web at 

15 

http://www.afa.org.sg/AIDSYouthSeminar.pdf 


"Mama, mama!! Read me a story!" 

"Why, again?" The mother chuckled, "Go on to bed, little tyke. 

I'll soon be with you. You took your medicine?" 

"Yes mama!" Scampering feet was heard. 

The mother smiled again, before looking at the empty room she 

never inhabited. Turning away resolutely, she headed into the 

boy's room. 

"Snow White?" 

"Eww, that's so girly," the boy scrunched up his nose, "make up 

a story, mama!" 

"Oh, you want that eh? Let's see..." The mother thought for a 

while. 

Once upon a time... 

16 


By Lee On Yee 

Chloe 

Chloe stood at the edge of the park. She was young, vivacious, 

and positively brimming with energy. She was also petulant, 

stubborn, and a pain to her parents. In retrospect, she was a 

typical teenager, sixteen, impudent, and just begging to be on 

her own, to face the world. 

And how better to do that, than to begin a relationship? Yes, all 

the girls in the school talked about it all the time. They were 

women, she was a girl. Chloe was certainly not lacking in assets, 

she was lacking in relations. And so, through the help of her 

friend, a blind date was set up. 

Therefore, this led to her at the park, tugging on a short, supposedly 

stylish skirt and too tight blouse, at the recommendation of her 

friend. After several more nervous minutes, the date arrived. 

Chloe glanced at him and her breath caught in her throat. 

'He is gorgeous!' Chloe swooned. 'He' was the school hunk, 

Joe or John or whatever, point is, he was hot. And Chloe wasn't 

bad looking either, and in her mind, she could already picture 

how beautiful they'd be together. After introducing themselves 

to each other (he turned out to be Joseph), he took her to a 

dance club. 

...And so, the girl met a beautiful young prince, and she fell in 

love with him... 

Now, it cannot be said that Chloe was stupid. Sure, she was 

blinded by love, but she noticed the looks J...what was the name 

again? Anyway, she noticed, she knew what he wanted, and at 

that time, she was all but unwilling to give it to him. Smoldering 

looks were shot between the two, while they were dancing, at 

the bar, everywhere, until finally J-something couldn't stand it 

anymore, and whispered, "Go to my place?" 

She nodded, throat constricting, slightly afraid of what was to 

come.

...She loved him so much, she was willing to give up everything 

for him, her money, her house, everything... 

They did the deed. Simple as that, there was no emotion involved. 

Passion, yes. Love, no. Chloe was confused, she was no longer 

a girl, she was a woman, but she didn't feel any different. It was 

painful, it was so, so painful. And he just slept on her, leaving 

Chloe awake and confused. 

"Well done! You're one of us now!" 

"No way! I didn't think you would do it! How was it?" 

"My own girl, my own girl...why?" 

"...I don't want to speak to you anymore." 

...Was that what they would say? Was it what she want? Are 

they all just her own voices, or her friends, her family? What had 

she just done? 

They met, again and again. Chloe couldn't refuse him, she didn't 

want to. She thought it was love. She was young and stupid. 

She thought he might really want her for a long, long time. She 

fantasized about a large house, children. She learnt his name, 

Joseph. 

Then, he broke it up. There was a new girl called Jessica. 

Chloe thought she might just die. 

...But the prince didn't love her. He loved a noble princess, a 

beautiful princess. Yet, she would do anything for him... 

She begged, she cried, she shouted, she screamed. He wouldn't 

come back. He just wouldn't. And so he left her. 

Chloe was devastated. She gave her all to him, and now it could 

not be retrieved, forever. As best as she could, she went on with 

life. It was never the same again...Torn skin leaves a scar unless 

treated properly, and she never did seek the proper treatment. 

...The girl was so heartbroken, she fell sick, sick till a special 

someone could heal her broken heart... 

Lee On Yee is 16, and this is her first time actively participating in an AIDS related 

programme. However, while this maybe her first active participation, she has attended numerous 

talks on AIDS and Prevention and thus fully understands and is keenly aware of the dangers of AIDS 

as well as the importance of abstinence. 

E-mail: leafyaki@yahoo.com.sg 

The dreaded symptoms appeared. Sores. Chloe checked again, 

numb with fear. She tried hard to convince herself it wasn't real, 

that it was imagined. It wasn't painful, which worsened the 

situation. It was so unreal, so dream (or nightmare) like. She went 

to see a doctor. 

"A test to find out, girl," the doctor sounded sympathetic, yet 

strangely unsurprised, as if it had occurred too many times before. 

Five long weeks later, the death penalty has been dealt. 

...It was a terrible, terrible sickness. To her, it was a punishment 

for falling in love with the prince, because she didn't understand 

how else she would fall sick... 

AIDS, something she hardly understood. She was also pregnant. 

Her life was ruined, her parents' life was ruined. She was disowned, 

she quit school, she left her home and friends, and she did all 

these with a dazed look, hardly believing anything. It was a 

nightmare never to be woken up from. 

She was a sick, seventeen year old mother now, and the hands 

of the clock could never be turned back again. 

...A year later, that person came, in the form of a young boy. He 

could never be like the prince she first met, but he was different. 

She began to live for him... 

"W-what happened then, m-mama?" Yawns broke the question 

a few times. 

"Well...of course, they lived happily ever after," the mother smiled, 

"Now, you should sleep." 

The boy blinked sleepily for a few moments, not noticing the 

wistful look in the mother's eye... 

"...Goodnight, sweetie." 

"Goodnight, mama..." 

17 


That 

Bed 

I was in the wicked boy 

You were in the room 

The both of you were very young 

You made love in the gloom. 

You never felt me 

Moving swiftly into you and then 

Waiting till the time was ripe 

To make your blood my friend. 

The T cells they did come, of course 

In numbers quite immense 

But I made them each a part of me: 

Impossible to cleanse 

Sharp fires in your joints and skin 

and lesions on your flesh; an empty 

hollow knot of pain, 

And swells all full of cess. 

A vector for my spread he was, 

That wicked boy, now dead. But you - 

You'll live for one more day, 

remembering that bed. 

Photograph by Desiree Lim 

Heather Chi is a Year Two Geography student at 

Raffles Junior College. She has a passion for 

writing and hopes to use her words as a medium 

to increase awareness among the public towards 

social causes such as AIDS prevention. This is 

her first time working with AfA. 

E-mail: breadfly@gmail.com 

18 


By Heather Chi 

volunteer’s report 

By Wong Shimin and 

Raphael Meyer 

Positive 

Prevention 

Retreat 

Singapore 

2006 

Club Genesis, the HIV-Positive support 

group under the auspices of Action for 

AIDS (AfA), conducted the first Positive 

Prevention (PP) series of workshops for 

HIV infected individuals held at the 

Changi Village Hotel on the 22nd to 23rd 

April 2006. This PP workshop targeted 

MSM (Men having Sex with Men) 

diagnosed with HIV. 

Objectives of the Retreat 

A total of four workshops were conducted, touching on a 

spectrum of subjects ranging from self-esteem, safe sex, 

anti-retroviral (ARV) medication, relationships to facing stigma 

and discrimination as a result of being positive. 

Although four separate workshops were conducted, it is 

apparent that many issues which a person with HIV faces 

are intertwined. For instance the issue of disclosure spans 

across family to their partners. Prioritising is also an important 

aspect for someone with HIV. It is not confined to just any 

part, but instead their whole life. They have to deal with a 

possible shorter life span and adjust their values and attitudes 

accordingly. In short, re-evaluate the process of decisionmaking. 

These are matters that surfaced during the retreat 

and it is the objective of these workshops to help the attendees 

deal better with life as a positive individual.

How it was conducted 

The attendees were divided into four groups and were each posed 

a different question or discussion topic during a different workshop. 

Thus on average there are three to four sub topics to discuss 

during each workshop. By means of conducting the retreat using 

various workshops, the active participation and enthusiasm from 

the attendees played a big part in making this event a success. 

A range of topics was thus examined and even those that were 

controversial were not spared. 

Different workshops covering a variety of concerns 

The retreat started with the workshop on self-esteem ("I am 

Beautiful"). In short, it asked the questions of how the participants 

saw themselves as persons with HIV and what they thought were 

desirable qualities which make a person admirable, and to a 

certain extent attractive. In this workshop, the groups also discussed 

why physical appearance seems to be of paramount among 

MSMs and whether it was really as important as it seemed. They 

concurred that physical appearance was an important factor (and 

for some a requirement) but not a sufficient aspect when it came 

to looking for a Long Term Relationship (LTR). 

The second workshop ("Sex ... Finally!") touched on the taboo 

subject of sex and nothing was shunned from the discussion of 

this much-anticipated topic. The use of condoms was emphasised, 

and on top of that the attendees were told to identify the 

consequences of not practicing safer sex. It was a desired outcome 

of this workshop to have the attendees identify the precariousness 

of not making a stand against unsafe sex and thus remind 

themselves and one another of the dangers of unsafe sex; they 

have to realise the risk they pose not only to others, but also to 

others. 

In the third workshop ("A Medley of Subjects"), miscellaneous 

subjects that were close to the hearts of the attendees were 

brought up. A total of three areas worth focusing were raised, 

comprising the disclosure of one's status, adherence and 

compliance to ARV medication and the issue of sero-discordant 

couples. The parties involved in the discussion of disclosure 

included family, friends, long-time partner and medical personnel. 

At the crux of the matter was who and who not to disclose to, 

and the factors which affect the decision of disclosing (or not 

disclosing) one's status. 

volunteer’s report 

By Wong Shimin and 

Raphael Meyer 

The second sub topic in this workshop touched on adhering to 

medication and its importance in ensuring a higher possibility of 

leading a more productive life. Most of the attendees shared their 

experiences and for those who were not yet on medication, shared 

their knowledge from articles which they have come across. The 

workshop was an excellent platform for the participants to exchange 

information which consisted of real-life experiences and theoretical 

knowledge. What was perhaps agreed upon at the end of the 

session was perhaps that different people had a wide array of 

response to the same treatments. Insofar as the same treatment 

could have varied effects on patients, participants nevertheless 

had an overview of what taking medication is like and the common 

side effects to look out for. 

The issue of having a sero-discordant partner was real for some 

and a possibility for others in the future. This was not evaded 

either. While there was not always concurrence from all attendees 

on how one should treat a sero-discordant relationship (or even 

have one to start with), a list of concerns were raised by all and 

subsequently discussed. This included whether such a relationship 

had long-term possibilities and the fear of infecting the negative 

partner. 

The last workshop ("Why do I care") was conducted on the second 

day of the retreat. The attendees were explained what stigma and 

discrimination is and how the international law defines it. In addition, 

they were taught ways to handle day-to-day stigma and 

discrimination. It asked the question of what persons with HIV as 

a minority group could do living side-by-side with the majority of 

sero-negative people and yet be sensitive to the possible 

repercussions for the society at-large. 

The Beginning of an End 

The purpose of this workshop is not one in search of absolute 

answers for its participants. Attendees did not leave with absolute 

views but it is hoped that such a retreat would allow them to see 

other perspective of issues, especially those in contention like 

sero-discordant relationship and disclosure. Needless to say, 

where a clear stand should be taken (in the instance of safer sex), 

there was assent from all the participants on what to and what 

not to do. But perhaps what is more important is how to practice 

what one is supposed to do; this is what the retreat hopes to 

empower its participants with. Indeed most, if not all, left with a 

much clearer idea on how to put what they know into action. By 

sharing with others in an environment that they are comfortable 

with, it is beneficial to both the organisers and participants; this 

retreat has left many to think more deeply about issues which 

affect them. The end of the retreat has set in motion the start to 

leading a more positive and fulfilling life for all the participants. 

The retreat was made possible by an educational grant from 

Bristol-Myers Squibb. 

19 


20 


medical update 

By Nicholas Leo Qi Jie and 

Dr. Lee Cheng Chuan 

HIV 

Superinfection: 

Introduction 

Most HIV infections are transmitted 

by individuals who are not aware of 

their positive HIV status. A large 

majority of seropositive individuals 

undertake responsible behavior of not 

transmitting the virus after HIV testing 

and counseling (1,2,3). 

People with HIV infection should act 

responsibly and not transmit the virus 

to people who are of negative or 

unknown HIV status. Two HIVseropositive 

individuals should also 

not partake in unprotected sex with 

each other. Previous assumption that 

a single HIV infection would prevent 

further infections has lead to risky sex 

among seropositive individuals. 

However, increasing evidence now 

suggest that an infected individual 

could be re-infected (or superinfected) 

with another HIV. The first documented 

case was reported in 2002 and though 

only 16 cases have been reported in 

the medical literature since then, it is 

likely that superinfection is underrecognized 

or under-reported (4). 

Should people already 

diagnosed with HIV 

be concerned? 

What is Superinfection? 

Superinfection is defined as reinfection of an individual who already has an established 

HIV infection with another new HIV virus. The newly acquired virus could belong to the 

same or different subtype or clade as the initial infecting virus. 

Confection is defined as infection with more than one viral strain around the time of initial 

infection before an immune response has developed. 

Diagram 1. Co-Infection 

Strain 1 + Strain 2 

Strain 1 Strain 2 

Diagram 2. Super-infection 

HIV - 1 HIV - 2 

Group M Group N Group O 

A B C D E F G H J K CRFs 

Time 

Time 

This diagram illustrates the different levels of HIV classification. Each type is divided 

into groups, and each group is divided into subtypes and CRFs (circulating recombinant forms).

When does superinfection occur? 

Superinfection can occur during early infection (the first few years 

after seroconversion) or during chronic (long-term) infection (4). 

Currently, most of the reported cases of superinfection occurred 

in the setting of primary or acute infection when the HIV immune 

response is still immature. In a small cohort of 73 newly infected 

individuals, superinfection was found at a rate of 5% per year 

(95% confidence interval, 1.7 -13.3 % per year) (5). Superinfection 

has also been described in the setting of treatment interruption 

(4). Ongoing antiretroviral therapy may protect an individual from 

superinfection (6). 

Impact on disease progression and treatment 

Superinfection can have devastating clinical implications. Dual 

infection is associated with a higher HIV load set point and hence, 

faster disease progression (4). A recent report showed a very 

rapid progression from seroconversion to clinical AIDS in 5 untreated 

patients with dual HIV infection (range 1.0 to 3.4 years)(7). 

In many reported cases of superinfection, individuals have 

experienced a decrease in CD4 count and an increase in HIV viral 

load, both of which are independent prognostic markers for HIV 

disease progression. This could have resulted from an acquisition 

of a new drug-resistant HIV strain or viral re-combination. 

Recombination of different infecting viruses can result in a new 

virus that is more virulent and less sensitive to anti-HIV drugs. 

Patients who are on effective antiretroviral therapy are also not 

invulnerable to superinfection because there is the danger of 

reinfection with drug resistant viruses (8). Hence, superinfection 

can complicate antiretroviral therapy. Acquiring a drug resistant 

strain through superinfection increases the likelihood of losing a 

response to antiretroviral therapy, hence, reducing the number of 

antiretroviral options available for an individual. 

Conclusion: 

Larger cohort studies would be needed to address the true 

incidence and significance of HIV superinfection. In the meantime, 

it would be prudent for individuals with HIV infection to exercise 

vigilant personal protection. While serosorting (sex between HIVpositive 

individuals) has been suggested as a tool for HIV prevention, 

sexually active individuals would need to practice safer (e.g. using 

a condom) with other HIV-infected partners in order to prevent 

HIV superinfection and its associated consequences. Safer sex 

practices also prevent transmission of other sexually transmitted 

infections like gonorrhea and syphilis. These preventive messages 

are now widely disseminated, close to 90% of MSM (men who 

have sex with men) in San Francisco are aware of superinfection 

and 74% have engaged in safer sex as a result of this concern 

(4). 

References and Suggested Reading 

1. Cleary PD, Van Devanter N, Rogers TF, et al. Behavior changes 

after notification of HIV infection. Am J Public Health 

1991;81:1586--90. 

2. Adoption of Protective Behaviors Among Persons With Recent 

HIV Infection and Diagnosis --- Alabama, New Jersey, and 

Tennessee, 1997-1998. MMWR; June 16, 2000 / 49(23);512-5. 

3. Chow YC, Lee CC, Verghese I et al. Sexual behaviors of HIVinfected 

patients on anti-retroviral therapy in Singapore - a 

pilot study. Presented at the 3rd Singapore AIDS conference 

22-23, November 2002. 

4. Smith DM, Richman DD, Little SJ. HIV Superinfection. J Infect 

Dis; 192(3):438-44 

5. Smith DM, Wong J, Hightower GK, et al. Incidence of HIV 

superinfection by HIV-1. AIDS 2004; 18:153-9 

6. Gonzales MJ, Delwart E, Rhee SY, et al. Lack of detectable 

HIV -1 superinfection during 1072 person years of observation. 

J Infect Dis 2003; 188:397-405. 

7. Gottlieb GS, Nickle DC, Jensen MA et al. Dual HIV-1 infection 

associated with rapid disease progression. Lancet 2004; 

363:1166. 

8. Blankson JN: HIV superinfection: Can patients be infected 

twice? The Hopkins HIV Report May 2004: 6-7. 

http://www.aegis.com/files/jhopkins/JH2004-05.pdf 

9. Cheonis N: Dual HIV infection. 

http://www.thebody.com/sfaf/winter06/dual.html 

10. HIV drug resistance acquired through superinfection 

http:.//www.natap.org/2005/HIV/080105_01.htm 

Nicholas is a 4th year medical student at NUS and Dr. Lee is a 

medical doctor managing HIV/AIDS. 

21 


22 


international news 

The 

World AIDS Campaign (WAC) 

What is the 

World AIDS 

Campaign? 

Since its inception in 1997, the World AIDS Campaign (WAC) has been managed 

by UNAIDS and has focused on raising public awareness on specific issues related 

to HIV and AIDS, such as the importance of fighting stigma and discrimination and 

the disproportionate impact of AIDS on women and girls. Over the years, feedback 

from campaigners has suggested that the WAC has helped influence the international 

agenda around HIV and AIDS but due to its global nature and, to some degree, 

its close association with UN agencies, the Campaign sometimes fell short of 

reaching its full potential at a national and local levels. As a result, in 2004 the WAC 

became an independent NGO, based in the Netherlands. 

From its early aim of raising awareness, the WAC is now a global effort of civil 

society to shift policy, mobilize resources, and call for action on the ground. 

Governments, organizations and individuals worldwide have made ambitious 

commitments to fight HIV and AIDS. Yet we continue to face new epidemics in a 

number of countries, a growing death toll in areas where the epidemic is well 

established and massive social and economic costs in the most affected areas. 

Now, more than ever, we must ensure that everyone feels responsible for shaping 

the AIDS response and making sure past commitments are honoured. 

Our vision is of a world campaign built on the experience and 

passion of those most affected, together with a broad range of 

partners in the North and South. 

This vision is of a global movement bringing renewed impetus and resolve to the 

fight against the epidemic. We believe that the "business as usual" approach to 

campaigning on AIDS should be a thing of the past. We now see many more 

partners joining the AIDS response, a redoubling of existing efforts and our 

policymakers beginning to act on their commitments on AIDS. 

The goal of the World AIDS Campaign (WAC) is to energize and support an effective 

and sustained response to the HIV pandemic. By helping partners work together 

at national and international levels, we will broaden the partnership among those 

shaping the response to AIDS. Crucial to our success will be increased public 

awareness of past policy commitments and promises on AIDS, including the 

Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS.

The WAC has the following objectives: 

* To ensure governments and policymakers keep their promises to meet the targets 

they have agreed to in the fight against HIV and AIDS 

* To foster an alliance of AIDS campaigns, linking local efforts for global impact 

* To secure the resources necessary for the fight against HIV and AIDS 

* To broaden and strengthen the role of civil society in the response to AIDS 

To end the pandemic means keeping our promises and commitments in the fight 

against HIV and AIDS. That is why the World AIDS Campaign (WAC) has chosen 

the following as its theme from 2005 – 2010: 

Achieving this ambition requires more support and action than people living with 

and affected by HIV and AIDS are able to generate on their own. What is needed 

is the involvement of more people from many different walks of life whether they 

are individuals or groups whether they are part of a trade union or a faith group 

or part of the women's movement or a young person wanting a better world in the 

future. 

"Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise." 


has been developed by 

the WAC to provide that opportunity for people to get involved and make their 

voices heard and become part of a new global movement that will not accept that 

we are doing enough for the- 40 million people and counting, who need us all to 

get involved in this campaign. 

Everyone can contribute whether that is by making your promise to support the 

campaign and its work or by actively promoting the campaign with friends and 

colleagues. 

The World AIDS Campaign and World AIDS Day. 

Each year, World AIDS Day (December 1) is given a special theme, with some 

themes lasting more than a year. Last year (2005) this was "Stop AIDS. Keep the 

Promise". This year, that theme and slogan will continue, yet the emphasis on 

accountability will be strengthened. We are also doing more than ever before to 

ensure that the theme can be adapted and made meaningful in different national 

contexts. 

Our hope is that specific country themes can be decided by local 

organisations within the broad theme of accountability, and with the slogan of 


Informing this process this year will be the findings a number of international reviews 

of past policy declarations, most notably the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment. 

For more information go to – 

http://www.worldaidscampaign.info/index.php/wac/wac 

23 


projects 

programmes 

& 

I educational 

programmes 

The ACT 

This publication has articles dealing with 

medical, social, cultural and personal issues. 

It also reviews and updates AfA's activities. 

It is distributed free to members and 

volunteers, to schools, libraries, community 

organisations, medical and dental clinics 

and hospitals. 

Editor-in-chief 

– Roy Chan 

info@afa.org.sg 

www.afa.org.sg 

The webpage contains information on 

HIV/AIDS, AfA activities, the latest HIV/AIDS 

statistics, a Q&A page, and links to other 

AIDS web pages - both local and foreign. 

Do visit the website for information on our 

activities or for updates on HIV/AIDS in 

Singapore and the region. 

Contact: info@afa.org.sg 

HIV Education in the Workplace 

Education is the most important strategy 

to prevent the spread of HIV. We provide 

trained educators who can speak to groups 

and organisations to help raise AIDS 

awareness. 

Coordinator 

– Benedict Thambiah 

Telephone • 90037566 

benedict.thambiah@afa.org.sg 

High Risk Heterosexual Men 

Outreach Programme 

To encourage heterosexual men who 

engage in high risk sexual practices, 

volunteers distribute safer sex packs at 

venues frequented by this target group. 

The programme also conducts online 

outreach – in websites, e-bulletin boards 

and chatrooms. 

Coordinator 

– Lionel Lee 


lionel.lee@afa.org.sg 

MSM Outreach Programme 

The Programme conducts research projects 

on MSM in Singapore, runs outreach at 

real and virtual MSM venues & events; 

develops MSM-specific safer sex material, 

Formed in 1988, Action for AIDS 

(Singapore) is a non-governmental 

organisation and a registered charity. Activities are 

planned, implemented and coordinated by 

volunteers and a small number of staff. 

AfA is funded, through the generous donations 

of private individuals and organisations. 

In order to realise our objectives, 

the following are some of our main activities. 

and conducts safer sex workshops. 

Volunteers do not have to be MSM, or even 

male, to help out. 

Coordinator 

– Abdul Hamid Hassan/James Foong 

Telephone • 96600237/91068884 

abdul.hamid@afa.org.sg/ 

james.foong@afa.org 

MSM Resources 

MSM Resources is an online service to 

provide information, support & referral for 

gay, bisexual & other men who have sex 

with men (MSM) on issues of safer sex, 

sexual health & healthy sexuality in 

Singapore. http://www.afa.org.sg/msm/ 

Coordinator 

– Leow Yangfa 

msm@afa.org.sg 

WSW Outreach Programme 

This programme provides support for 

lesbian and bisexual women pertaining to 

HIV/AIDS and STIs. 

Coordinator 

– Eileena Lee 


wsw@afa.org.sg 

Youth Outreach Programme 

Youths take the lead in conducting 

educational sessions for non-school-based 

youth. The aim of the Youth Programme 

is to provide HIV/AIDS information to, and 

create awareness among teenagers. 

Coordinator 

– Justin Ng 

JustinNg@fas.harvard.edu 

AMPUH (Anak Melayu Islam Melawan 

Penyakit Unik HIV/AIDS) 

AMPUH was set up by a group of Muslim 

volunteers to tackle the rising numbers of 

Muslim patients infected with HIV virus or 

suffering from AIDS. It hopes to raise 

community awareness of HIV/AIDS, 

encourage active community participation 

and enhance community support for Muslim 

HIV/AIDS patients. 

Coordinator 

– Abdul Hamid Hassan 


abdul.hamid@afa.org.sg 

Project StreetWalker 

Volunteers provide material and information 

in relation to HIV/AIDS and STI to freelance 

sex workers. 

Coordinator 

– Jonathan Chua 

psw@afa.org.sg 

II support and welfare 

programmes 

Endowment Fund for Anti-Retroviral 

(ARV) Medications 

ARV medications are all considered nonstandard 

drugs. The AfA Endowment Fund 

provides financial assistance to needy 

PWAs who cannot pay for these 

medications. We also maintain a separate 

fund for pregnant HIV+ mothers who cannot 

afford ARV Drugs to prevent mother-tochild 

transmission. 

Coordinator 

– Roy Chan 


The Buddies Programme 

Volunteers in the Buddies Programme offer 

emotional and practical support to HIVpositive 

people and their loved ones through 

weekly visits to the ward, and by befriending 

those who are healthier and appreciate 

company and friendship. 

Coordinator 

– Alan Tan 


buddies@afa.org.sg 

Life Goes On (LGO) and 

Club Genesis (CG) 

LGO and CG are self-help patient support 

groups funded and supported by AfA. 

They also network with self-help groups 

regionally and share experience and 

Information that are mutually beneficial. 

Through LGO and CG, PWA interests and 

rights are represented in all of AfA's 

activities, at both organizational and 

participatory levels, with confidentially 

preserved. LGO caters to infected 

heterosexual men and women, while CG 

caters to infected MSM. PWAs plan, 

coordinate and perform hospital, home 

support and welfare activities, and also to 

assist in AfA activities.

LGO Coordinator 

– Johnson Lee 


CG Coordinator 

– Raphael Meyer 


club.genesis@afa.org.sg 

Survivors 

This support group helps the networking 

of relatives and friends of PWAs who have 

passed on. Survivors help each other come 

to terms with their losses and move on to 

help others learn to live with AIDS in their 

families and relationships. 


Family Support Network 

This group helps HIV+ patients and their 

family members to come together in a safe 

and emotionally supportive environment to 

share their thoughts and experiences of 

dealing with the infection. HIV+ patients 

with no family support are also welcomed. 

Personal counselling is provided to HIV 

concordant and discordant couples 

(regardless of sexual orientation) and HIV+ 

pregnant women. Harm and risk reduction 

information and advice are also made 

available. 


Muslim+ 

This peer support group brings together 

Malay/Muslim HIV+ patients within a safe 

and emotionally supportive environment to 

share their thoughts and experiences in 

coming to grips with the infection from an 

Islamic perspective. 

Coordinator 

– Nooraini Abdul Rahim 


m+@afa.org.sg 

Women and Girls Outreach 

This programme aims to address issues 

peculiar to women and young girls through 

research and targeted material and 

campaigns. 

Coordinator 

– Braema Mathi 

women.outreach@afa.org.sg 

executive committee 

III clinical services 

Anonymous HIV Testing & 

Counselling Clinic 

This is the only place where anonymous 

HIV testing is available in Singapore. 

Experienced counselors are on hand to 

provide pre-and post-test counselling for 

our clients. Test results are available within 

20 min of doing the test. 

The DSC Clinic 

Blk 31, #01-16 Kelantan Lane 

#01–16, Singapore 200031 

Operating Hours: 6.30 to 8.00 pm on Tue 

& Wed, 1.30 to 3.30 pm on Sat (except 

public holidays) 

Coordinator 

– Benedict Jacob Thambiah/Lalitha Nair 

Telephone • 90037566/62939648 

benedict.thambiah@afa.org.sg 

HIV/AIDS Hotline – Tel: 62540212, 

62951820 

The Hotline provides information and 

counselling services on all aspects of AIDS. 


IV other projects 

Legal Assistance 

We provide free legal advice and assistance 

to PWAs and their families on how to deal 

with difficult employers and workplace 

issues, draw up wills, and advice on issues 

related to the Advanced Medical Directive, 

we have also been asked to assist and 

investigate in specific instances where 

discrimination against PWAs has occurred. 

Coordinator 

– Thomas Ng 


The Candlelight Memorial 

This is an annual international event held 

to remember those who have died from 

AIDS. The Memorial provides an opportunity 

to come to terms with death and AIDS. It 

has become a powerful symbol of the 

presence of AIDS in Singapore , and a 

timely reminder for the community to renew 

its commitment to fight AIDS discrimination. 

The memorial is held on the last Sunday in 

May. 

President – Roy Chan 

Vice-President – Braema Mathi 

Secretary – Dawn Mok 

Asst Hon Secretary – Thomas Ng 

Hon. Treasurer – John Woo 

Committee Members – Bharat Patel • Caroline Fernandez • Iris Verghese 

Lee Cheng Chuan • Nooraini Abdul Rahim 

Staff 

Executive Director – Paul Toh 

Programme Manager – Abdul Hamid Hassan 

Project Coordinators – Benedict Jacob-Thambiah • Lionel Lee • James Foong 

Office Administrator – Lionel Lim 

Coordinator 

– Paul Toh 


paul.toh@afa.org.sg 

Singapore AIDS Conference 

These biennial multisectorial conferences 

on AIDS were successfully organised in 

1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004. Over 600 

delegates from government and nongovernmental 

organisations, volunteers, 

the press, and businesses attended the 

last one. The 5th Singapore AIDS 

Conference will be held in December 2006. 

Secretariat 

– Nina Sharma 

comcon@pacific.net.sg 

Art Against AIDS 

Started in 1996, this biennial competition 

uses art as a medium to help raise AIDS 

awareness and encourage community 

participation in AIDS prevention. 

Coordinator 

– Dawn Mok 

art.against.aids@afa.org.sg 

Riding for Life 

Biennial cycling awareness- and fund-raising 

event. 


If you would like to make a donation, 

please make your cheque out to 

“ACTION FOR AIDS, SINGAPORE”, 

and post it to 

21 Norris Road, 

Singapore 208263. 

As all donations are tax deductible, please 

include your NRIC, FRIN or RCB number 

and full name. 

You may also donate online through the 

NCSS Donation Portal – 

www.donations.org.sg 

If you would like to be a 

volunteer, write to us at the 

above address or send an 

email to afa@pacific.net.sg 

Alternatively, please call 

62540212/62951820/ 

62938414 for enquiries.

the the - Action for AIDS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?