Materia Medica Malaysiana

Dr Azmi: Compulsory test to curb spread of HIV/AIDS

KANGAR: More pregnant women in Perlis are now infected with HIV/AIDS, forcing the state government to propose that Muslims undergo compulsory pre-marriage HIV tests, said state health department director Dr Azmi Hashim.
“Perlis is among the states with many such patients as a certain section of society here indulge in high-risk activities, especially when they go across the border.
“This is a worrying trend which has given rise to an even higher infection rate,” he said.
Dr Azmi, who declined to reveal the number of women infected with the disease, said the rate would continue to rise if nothing was done.
He was responding to a news report quoting Perlis Regent Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail as saying that the Perlis religious council should compel all Muslims planning marriage to take the HIV test as part of measures to combat the rise of HIV/AIDS.
Elaborating on the report, Perlis Mufti Datuk Mat Jahaya Hussein said the test also applies to Muslims who choose to practise polygamy.
Dr Azmi said such a move was “viewed positively by the public health authorities as a step towards combating the HIV/AIDS.”
He said if any one member of a couple tested positive and still wanted to get married, counselling will be provided.
“We would advise them on safety measures and provide a marriage counsellor to ensure that the couple understands the risks involved,” he said.
Dr Azmi said marriage partners should know the general health status of their spouse.