Materia Medica Malaysiana

HIV/AIDS account annoys Shahidan

THE Perlis health director's statement on the rising number of pregnant women in the state with HIV/AIDS has irked the Mentri Besar, who said the information was incomplete and disclosed without his knowledge.
Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim told Utusan Malaysia that such statements made to the media without complete details like the figures for HIV/AIDS sufferers could create a negative perception of the state.
The Mentri Besar, the daily said, was also disappointed that the statement was made without his knowledge as if the director was disregarding Shahidan's role as the state Health Committee chairman.
Utusan Malaysia on Thursday quoted the director, Dr Azmi Hashim, as saying that the number of pregnant women with HIV/AIDS was at a worrying level as the figures were increasing yearly.
Dr Azmi had said that Perlis was among the states with most HIV/AIDS cases due to some of its men's unhealthy lifestyle at the neighbouring country.
However, he was unable to give the actual figures of those with HIV/AIDS, including the pregnant women.
“I don't mind if he makes the statement because he is the one with the figures. But it is not proper for him to speak without complete details and figures because it will affect people's perception on Perlis,” Shahidan said.