Malaysia Achieves All MDGS Except One, Nine Years Earlier

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has met all targets set out by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) except on matters pertaining to the HIV/AIDS menace, nine years earlier than the set target, the 2006/2007 Economic Report revealed.
"More concerted efforts are now being taken to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015 through multi-sectoral approach.
"These include collaboration and cooperation among the various ministries and agencies covering health, education and information as well as involving non-governmental organisations in the many aspects of AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support," the report said.
Malaysia, as a signatory of the UN's Millennium Declaration, had made great strides towards fully achieving the MDGs, which were very much in line with Malaysia's social and economic agenda, the report said.
"Consequently, Malaysia's attainment of the MDGs is well ahead of the 2015 target with exception being the goal of combating HIV/AIDS which requires more concerted action," it said.
There are eight MDGs, which had to be achieved by all UN member states. The eight targets are eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability and develop global partnership for development.
In eradicating poverty and hunger, the number of households living below the poverty line in peninsular Malaysia had significantly been reduced from 49.3 per cent in 1970 to 3.6 per cent in 2004, while for the whole nation (Sabah and Sarawak included) the figure stood at 5.7 per cent.
In terms of universal primary education, the nation's achievement was not only in terms of student enrolment but more importantly, 97 per cent of primary school children completing their education.
On the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment, various measures taken by the government since 1970, the gender gap in enrolment at all levels of education, which previously favoured male students, had improved significantly and in fact female students currently outnumber males, with the ratio of 2:1 in public universities.
A well developed primary healthcare system, which encompassed infant immunisation and child nutrition, combined with better education and an improved reproductive health system, was the key to Malaysia reducing infant and child mortality.
The country also recorded a significant improvement in maternal health, as indicated by the maternal mortality rate which declined to 30 per 100,000 live births in 2005 from 141 per 100,000 live births in 1970.
The report said the 21st century, an era of globalisation and rapid economic development, required fresh and innovative approaches to maintain the momentum towards attaining all the MGDs.
"In this context, Malaysia continues to pursue strategies at the national and international levels not only to maintain the level achieved but more importantly to tackle and address emerging challenges through among others the public-private sharing of responsibilities," it said.