A recent post by the Facebook account ‘Hea Ra’ claimed that HIV/AIDS cases are surging in Cambodia, particularly in Preah Sihanouk and Takeo, suggesting that 70,000 people are infected, with 7,000 evading treatments. NCHADS
In a concerning development, a misleading December 8 social media post relating to HIV/AIDS appears to have gone viral, sparking fear and confusion among the public.
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A recent post by the Facebook account “Hea Ra” claimed that HIV/AIDS cases are surging in Cambodia, particularly in Preah Sihanouk and Takeo provinces. The post suggested that the two provinces are home to some 70,000 people living with HIV, with 7,000 evading treatment, while in truth, the quoted figures are close to the totals listed by health officials for the entire Kingdom.
This alarming assertion, however, has been debunked by health officials, who emphasised the importance of accurate information in combating the disease.
The National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD (NCHADS), in conjunction with the Takeo provincial Department of Health, has taken a firm stance against the spread of this misinformation.
In a December 11 statement, officials highlighted that the claims made in the viral post lack a credible basis and have resulted in unnecessary panic among the community.
“Although the account owner later attempted to amend the false information, the damage was already done, with many other social media pages continuing to share the misleading claims,” explained the statement.
The notice warned that the false information was shared without it being verified by qualified data management experts who provide services in the prevention, care and treatment of HIV and AIDS.
The ongoing spread of fake news is creating confusion about AIDS cases in Takeo Province.
Tep Asnarith, a spokesman for the Ministry of Information, stated that the lack of ethical standards on certain social media platforms has eroded trust in the media, adversely impacting traditional media and journalism professionals.
“The dangers of fake news can lead to consequences and disasters of unimaginable scale,” he told The Post.
“The proliferation of fake news presents a significant challenge. The rapid spread of false information, disinformation and misinformation on the Internet and social media has amplified the dissemination of fake news, creating extremely dangerous risks and increasingly negative impacts on the stability, social security and peace we all work tirelessly to protect and preserve,” he added,
Asnarith emphasised that content creators on certain MMO social media platforms must adhere to social morality and ethical broadcasting standards.
He criticised those driven by personal gain or the pursuit of popularity for undermining ethical standards and public dignity.
He warned that irresponsible broadcasts have instilled fear among citizens and patients, some of whom already face challenges, causing chaos and instability in their lives.
Furthermore, they infringe on privacy, disrespect the rights and dignity of others, and may even lead to severe risks and eventual disasters.
The impact of such false information is significant. Cambodia has made remarkable strides in its fight against HIV/AIDS, achieving 89% of the global target of 95-95-95 by 2023, according to the statement.
“This means that a substantial majority of individuals living with HIV are aware of their status, receiving treatment, and maintaining a suppressed viral load,” said the statement.
“However, the spread of false information threatens to undermine these achievements and can lead to a regression in public health efforts,” it warned.
The National Center acknowledged that despite its successes, HIV has not yet been eliminated from Cambodia.
“In 2023, there were 76,000 people living with HIV, of whom 69,413 were receiving antiretroviral therapy as of the third quarter of 2024,” stated the report.
Therefore, approximately 7,000 people living with HIV are unaware of their status and are not receiving treatment.
Additionally, in 2023, there were 12,000 new HIV infections, with 86% occurring among sex workers and their sexual partners.
This high-risk group includes women who work as sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender women and drug users.
“In Takeo Province, as of September 30, a total of 2,814 people living with HIV were receiving care and antiretroviral therapy, including 1,535 women,” according to the statement.
Notably, only 14 patients have temporarily left the service, and efforts are underway to trace their contacts and bring them back into care and treatment.
As the fight against HIV/AIDS continues, the importance of combating disinformation cannot be overstated.
Public health officials are calling for a collective effort to ensure that accurate information prevails in the digital landscape.
NCHADS strongly rejected the dissemination of false information which lacks a credible basis.
They requested that any social media page or forum which shares this misinformation delete it or issue a correction immediately.
In addition, it urged the public to refrain from believing or sharing information without a clear source.
Furthermore, the centre called on individuals, particularly those at high risk of HIV infection and young people, to be mindful of the prevention of HIV transmission to protect themselves, their families and their communities.
“We can forget AIDS, but AIDS does not forget us. If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, please seek counselling services and undergo HIV testing. Testing is voluntarily and confidential. It is important to determine your status, which is crucial for making informed decisions about care and treatment,” said a statement.
The Cambodian government, alongside various health organizations, has ramped up efforts to educate the public about HIV/AIDS.
Campaigns promoting awareness and prevention strategies aim to empower individuals, particularly those in high-risk groups, to take control of their health and seek necessary support.
