2,504 new HIV cases reported till Nov 2012

New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has received 2,504 new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) notifications from January to November this year.

The Health Ministry's Director of Disease Control Dr Chong Chee Kheong said with the alarming number of HIV cases, all young people must know how to protect themselves from such ailment and start being responsible for their health.

"One out of four new HIV cases reported in Malaysia involve youngsters aged between 13 and 29 years and young adults aged between 20 to 39, constituting 70 per cent of the cumulative HIV cases.

"New cases in young adults through sexual transmissions are also expected to increase from year to year and its already overtaking what used to be the main driver for HIV in Malaysia which was Injecting Drug User," he said in his speech at the Red Ribbon Youth Club's "Celebrate World AIDS Day 2012" here, today.

He added that in 2011, Malaysia had witnessed a cumulative total of 94,841 HIV cases of which 17,686 progressed to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), while at least 14,986 AIDS related deaths were reported.

Meanwhile, Honorary Secretary of the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) Hisham Hussein said it was timely for Malaysians to acquire knowledge and develop an integrated approach about sexual and reproductive health education and services,
especially to young adults.

"We must stay ahead to educate our young people, particularly at this critical juncture," he said on behalf of MAC President Datuk Dr Raj Karim.

In conjunction with World AIDS Day 2012 today that was themed Rising Up to Challenges of "Getting to Zero", Hisham said MAC was collaborating with the University of Malaya Medical Society to launch the two-day Red Ribbon Youth Club's Worlds Aids Day 2012 which started today.

The aim of the event is to increase public awareness and raise funds for HIV organisations in Malaysia. -- BERNAMA