KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 3,451 individuals have been given the PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), under the Health Ministry's pilot programme to reduce the risk of HIV infections, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the number was since the inception of the programme in January last year to Jan 11 this year.
He said among the early findings following the use of PrEP was a decline in the syphilis infection rate from 11 per cent to 6.5 per cent after six months, to 1.3 per cent after 12 months.
"The percentage of clients who always use condoms increased from 30 per cent to 38.6 per cent after six months to 44 per cent after 12 months.
"The percentage of clients who only had one sexual partner increased from 7.2 per cent to 19.4 per cent after six months to 29.6 per cent after 12 months.
"There were 51 clients who stopped using PrEP because they no longer engaged in high-risk sexual activities," he said in reply to a question from Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat).
Yunus asked about the latest status of the pilot project regarding the use of PrEP medicine on individuals with HIV-positive partners, especially those engaging in free-sex and same-sex activities.
He said the initial findings also found that the majority of the clients under the programme had complied with the requirements, including consistent condom use and better behaviour changes, even while using PrEP.
He said the PrEP programme was expanded from 18 to 21 health clinics last year and to be expanded to another 10 health clinics this year.
Meanwhile, Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry always takes proactive measures with the authorities overseeing Islamic affairs such as the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, National Fatwa Committee (NFC) and states fatwa committees.
"So far, the Perlis State Fatwa Committee, who held a meeting on July 23 and 24 last year said that the harm in the spread of HIV, which can be widely transmitted, is greater than the harm of abusing PrEP which could encourage homosexual activities.
"It is 'harus' for health practitioners to administer PrEP to prevent HIV transmission.
"However, it is haram 'forbidden' for individuals taking PrEP to promote homosexuality and free sex."