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Significant drop in drug-related HIV infection, bulk of cases now linked to sexual transmission

KLANG: The bulk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases reported in the country has been linked to sexually transmitted infections, especially involving MSM (men who have sex with men) and the transgender population (TG).

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said HIV infection among those who inject drugs (via contaminated needles or syringes) once accounted for over 80 per cent of the total number of reported cases.

However, he said today, new HIV infections among those who inject drugs stood at only four per cent, thanks to the ministry's harm reduction programme which has been in place since 2005, with the cooperation of various government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGO), especially the Malaysian Aids Council (MAC).

"The administration of antiretroviral drugs (ARV) to people living with HIV (PLHIV) has also increased from 28 per cent in 2015 to 58 per cent in 2020.

"This coverage, however, is still low compared to the 95 per cent target in our efforts to end Aids by 2030.

"Malaysia has outlined a 15-year plan to end Aids by 2030 through the National Strategic Plan for Ending Aids 2016-2030. Currently, we are on the right track in achieving those aspirations.

"However, we are not spared from facing challenges due to the changing landscape of infection among drug addicts to sexually transmitted infections," he said at a press conference here after launching the National-level Ending Aids Through the 'Go-NGO' Smart Collaboration Model KK 2.0.

Khairy said the Integrated Bio-Behavioral Study conducted every three years by the health ministry has shown an increase in the rate of HIV infection among MSM and TG.

"This situation requires commitment as well as an aggressive and innovative response," he said, adding that HIV from sexual transmission made up only five per cent of the total cases in 1990, but the figure now stands at a whopping 95 per cent.

To address this, he said the government has been offering free HIV treatment in hospitals and health clinics nationwide.

The government, he said had also set up the Harm Reduction programme and expanded the screening strategies that are available not only in health facilities, but in the community as well.

"The health ministry has adopted a multi-sectoral and community-based approach. One of them is the establishment of the MAC in 1992 as an umbrella organisation to coordinate the response to HIV/Aids by NGOs under its umbrella.

"The smart collaboration between the ministry and the council or GO-NGOs has had a positive impact in tackling Aids. In implementing this, the government through the ministry has channeled more than RM170 million to the council since its establishment.

"Today, I am pleased to hand over the government's contribution of RM7 million to the council for NGOs to implement a comprehensive HIV prevention programme in 2022."

Khairy said the government has been working hard to prevent, treat and control the HIV/Aids epidemic for over three decades.

Malaysia, he said, once recorded the highest number of new cases in 2002 at 6,978 cases per year or at a rate of 28.5 cases per 100,000 population.

"The implementation of effective prevention, control and treatment activities has seen a decline in the number of new HIV cases in 2020 to 3,146 cases or at a rate of 9.3 cases per 100,000 population, a decrease of 66 per cent compared to 2002."

Khairy added that it was crucial to continue educating the community and reduce the stigma and bad perception of society towards not just persons living with HIV but also key vulnerable populations who need help and treatment.

"We do not pass judgment. Society is judged by how we treat those who are most marginalised amongst us. So, if we continue having bad perceptions and prejudice, which are not based on scientific facts, then we will have a long way to go before we can effectively end Aids in Malaysia."

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