KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry believes it is better to prescribe PrEP medication, which is known to reduce the risk of contracting HIV, to high-risk groups to curb the spread of the virus.
Addressing the Dewan Rakyat during Minister’s Question Time, Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni (Sibuti-GPS) noted that the Selangor mufti has issued a fatwa (religious edict) which recommends doctors refrain from giving PrEP to homosexual patients.
“Regarding the issue surrounding PrEP, although the Selangor mufti has issued a ruling on the matter, we have had discussions at the ministry.
“I don’t believe we can deny PrEP to high-risk individuals,” he said.
“I think it is better we prevent these high-risk groups from spreading the virus,” he added, referring to HIV which causes AIDS.
Lukanisman was answering a query by Wan Razali Wan Nor (Kuantan-PN) on Putrajaya’s stance in light of the Selangor mufti’s ruling.
Wan Razali had pointed out that HIV statistics have changed since the early 2000s when more infections were caused by sharing needles. However, recently the spread of the virus is attributed to homosexual activities, he said.
In his reply, Lukanisman agreed with the Kuantan MP, saying that lifestyle changes have indeed caused a shift with regard to HIV infections.
The Sibuti MP also suggested that teenagers who embrace a homosexual lifestyle do so due to grooming.
“We have to accept that lifestyle changes, where a ‘male-to-male lifestyle’ is the main cause of HIV infections.
“If it shows that infection starts at 20 years of age, it means the infection occurred during the patient’s teenage years.
“I think grooming is among the causes why there are children and teens who are forced to choose this unhealthy lifestyle,” he added. – The Vibes, March 23, 2023
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