PETALING JAYA: Most of the new HIV cases in Malaysia involve millennials aged between 20 and 29. Of the total 3,293 new HIV infections last year, this age group accounted for 45% of the cases (1,479).
This is based on data from the Health Ministry’s disease control division HIV/sexually transmitted illnesses/hepatitis C sector.
The second-largest group of new HIV cases are those in their 30s, making up 31.7% (1,045) of the total, followed by Malaysians aged between 40 and 49 at 13% (439).
The fight against HIV and AIDS throughout the years by the ministry had shown positive results, it said. “Over the last 10 years, we have seen a 65% drop in the number of HIV notification rate,” the ministry told Sunday Star.
The number of new HIV cases has been steadily declining over the past three years, falling 3% from 3,397 in 2016 to 3,293 in 2018.
However, the ministry said it was “very concerned” over the high number of HIV transmissions through sex, most of which were from homosexual activities.
It was reported on Friday that this was a clear shift in the pattern of infection after almost 30 years, which had mostly recorded cases of drug users sharing needles.
Last year, 94% of HIV cases were transmitted through sexual relations, with men having sex with men making 57% of the number.
Heterosexual transmission accounted for 37% of cases.
“Sexuality is a sensitive topic in this country. It poses a major challenge to us in addressing sexual issues as the main mode of HIV transmission in Malaysia,” said the ministry.
It said while it could be a taboo for some, others might say that the authorities were not being straight forward enough in tackling the matter.
“Some people are also completely against us discussing sexuality with children,” it said.
The ministry said in spite of this, it was trying to involve key populations at higher risk of HIV infection in its intervention efforts.
It said the four key populations are transgenders, men who have sex with men, sex workers and drug users.
The ministry has also identified 23 health clinics in the country that are dubbed “client-centred clinics”, which are friendly to such key populations.
“The staff at such clinics are specially trained to address the needs of such key populations, making them feel welcome to receive treatment without being stigmatised,” it said.
So far, the ministry said such clinics had received overwhelming support, with the number of those seeking help shooting up from about 2,000 in 2016 to almost 12,000 last year.
“Every year, the government allocates about RM7mil to NGOs to conduct outreach programmes, the procurement of condoms and clean needles and other projects,” it said.
To commemorate the annual World AIDS Day today, the ministry urges all Malaysians to have a common ground in fighting the disease in line with this year’s theme “Communities make the difference”.
“The fight against AIDS needs the cooperation and support from every individual and community in this country,” it said.
“Over the next few years, we hope that the goal of ending AIDS in Malaysia by 2030 will soon be a reality for us to cherish.”
This is based on data from the Health Ministry’s disease control division HIV/sexually transmitted illnesses/hepatitis C sector.
The second-largest group of new HIV cases are those in their 30s, making up 31.7% (1,045) of the total, followed by Malaysians aged between 40 and 49 at 13% (439).
The fight against HIV and AIDS throughout the years by the ministry had shown positive results, it said. “Over the last 10 years, we have seen a 65% drop in the number of HIV notification rate,” the ministry told Sunday Star.
The number of new HIV cases has been steadily declining over the past three years, falling 3% from 3,397 in 2016 to 3,293 in 2018.
However, the ministry said it was “very concerned” over the high number of HIV transmissions through sex, most of which were from homosexual activities.
It was reported on Friday that this was a clear shift in the pattern of infection after almost 30 years, which had mostly recorded cases of drug users sharing needles.
Last year, 94% of HIV cases were transmitted through sexual relations, with men having sex with men making 57% of the number.
Heterosexual transmission accounted for 37% of cases.
“Sexuality is a sensitive topic in this country. It poses a major challenge to us in addressing sexual issues as the main mode of HIV transmission in Malaysia,” said the ministry.
It said while it could be a taboo for some, others might say that the authorities were not being straight forward enough in tackling the matter.
“Some people are also completely against us discussing sexuality with children,” it said.
The ministry said in spite of this, it was trying to involve key populations at higher risk of HIV infection in its intervention efforts.
It said the four key populations are transgenders, men who have sex with men, sex workers and drug users.
The ministry has also identified 23 health clinics in the country that are dubbed “client-centred clinics”, which are friendly to such key populations.
“The staff at such clinics are specially trained to address the needs of such key populations, making them feel welcome to receive treatment without being stigmatised,” it said.
So far, the ministry said such clinics had received overwhelming support, with the number of those seeking help shooting up from about 2,000 in 2016 to almost 12,000 last year.
“Every year, the government allocates about RM7mil to NGOs to conduct outreach programmes, the procurement of condoms and clean needles and other projects,” it said.
To commemorate the annual World AIDS Day today, the ministry urges all Malaysians to have a common ground in fighting the disease in line with this year’s theme “Communities make the difference”.
“The fight against AIDS needs the cooperation and support from every individual and community in this country,” it said.
“Over the next few years, we hope that the goal of ending AIDS in Malaysia by 2030 will soon be a reality for us to cherish.”
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