KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysians should take the cue from Iran's success in reducing its HIV and AIDS cases through the distribution of free syringes and condoms, Malaysian Aids Foundation chairman Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir said.
She proposed that the government send people, especially the ulama, prison officers, police and representatives from non-governmental organisations to Iran to learn how the Islamic country successfully implemented the programme.
Marina said the Iranian government had long practised the move, especially in prisons, and they had successfully reduced the risk of the spread of HIV and AIDS among prisoners.
"I have met them (delegates from Iran) when attending a conference on AIDS in Melbourne in 2003. They are not only proud of the programme's success but invited us to visit them," she said.
She told reporters this after launching a charity programme to help famine victims, jointly organised by Help University College (Help) and an international charitable body, World Vision Malaysia here Saturday.
The free syringes and condoms campaign is expected to be implemented by the government in January next year.
However, it received mixed reactions, with some parties coming out strongly against it, claiming the move could be interpreted as the government encourging promiscous behavior.
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