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“WHO warns Malaysia on
the threshold of an epidemic”
New
Straits Times (www.nst.com.my)
(14/06/05) Annie Freeda Cruez
An
HIV epidemic is knocking on Malaysia’s door. This startling conclusion was
reached by the World Health Organisation (WHO) after its officials studied
statistics and spoke to Ministry of Health personnel. It disclosed that some
15,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS in Malaysia. Dr Hans Tieru, the
WHO representative, said that the development of the HIV situation here was
being monitored closely by the world organisation.
"It
was only after studies were carried out that a finding was made that
Malaysia was at the initial stage of an HIV epidemic," he said. This was
reported in the UNAIDS/WHO Report on the Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic 2004.
Nearly 65,000 people have been diagnosed with HIV since 1996. Of this
number, 9,444 have developed full- blown AIDS and 7,195 have died. But the
authorities and non-governmental organisations believe the official figures
are only a conservative estimate.
Drug use lies behind the bulk of the HIV/AIDS cases in Malaysia. There are
130,000 intravenous drug users, many of whom share needles, raising the risk
of infection. Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said he was troubled by
the WHO finding. "This is a challenge for all Malaysians. We have to find a
way to stop the spread of HIV," he said. The situation called for radical
approaches, including free distribution of condoms and clean needles to stop
the spread of infection among drug users, he said. But Dr Chua also sounded
a note of caution. Though most HIV-positive Malaysians were drug addicts, a
growing number of people were being infected through sexual contact.
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