KUALA LUMPUR – Sexual transmission stemming from homosexual or bisexual relationships make up 68% of fresh HIV infections between 2015 and 2021, according to findings by the Health Ministry (MoH).
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, earlier today, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau-BN) said heterosexual relationships only accounted for 26% of new HIV infections.
Khairy said this in response to a query from Tan Kee Yew (Wangsa Maju-PH) on the number of HIV cases in the country over the last five years.
The minister pointed out that Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya had reported 3,030 new HIV cases in the same period.
The new HIV infections, he explained, revealed a parallel trend, with 448 people infected or 27.8% cases per 100,000 persons in 2015 while in 2019, 448 people or 22.5% cases per 100,000 persons were reported.
However, the data for new HIV cases in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya between 2020 to 2021 showed a declining trend.
“The declining trend was due to the nationwide movement restriction following Covid-19.
“Therefore, the actual trend for new HIV cases would be evident after 2022, following the relaxation of Covid-19 standard operation procedures,” he said.
Khairy also noted that from 2015 to 2021, 91% of new HIV cases were aged between 20 to 49.
“From that, 45% consist of those aged between 20 to 29; 33% between 30 to 39, and 13% between 40 to 49,” he added.
“Three percent of the new cases infected individuals below 20 while the remaining 6% consisted of those aged 50 or above.”
As such, Khairy said data for new HIV cases categorised by age group also showed a parallel trend.
“MoH has taken precautions and preventive actions to meet the target of zero-HIV cases and to end AIDS, in line with the National Strategic Plan to End HIV/AIDS 2016-2030.
“This plan highlights the main focus, including test-and-cure, strengthening harm reduction, prevention of mother-to-child transmission and elimination of stigma and discrimination,” he added. – The Vibes, August 4, 2022
