HIV/AIDS in Malaysia

File:NO. OF NEW HIV INFECTIONS AND AIDS DEATHS BY GENDER PER YEAR REPORTED IN MALAYSIA (from 1986 until 2010).png

File:Percentage of new hiv infection per state in 2006-2008.jpg

Malaysian HIV/AIDS cases have been reported since 1986 by the Ministry of Health. Since then, the national surveillance system had reported a cumulative of 105,189 HIV cases, 21,384 AIDS and 17,096 deaths related to HIV/AIDS giving total reported PLHIV of 88,093 cases or 96% of estimated PLHIV.{{cite web |url=http://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/country/documents/MYS_narrative_report_2015.pdf |title=The Global AIDS Response Progress Report Malaysia 2015 |publisher=UN Aids |access-date=14 April 2015}}

Males still make up the majority of HIV cases (89%), but the number of women with positive status of HIV has been increasing. This is shown by the decreasing trend of male:female ratio of 10:1 in 2002 to 4:1 in 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.mac.org.my/v3/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Annual-Report-2014_A4_09022017-WEB-s.pdf |title=Annual Report 2014 |publisher=Malaysia Aids Council, Malaysia Aids Foundation |access-date=29 September 2014}} 42% of HIV transmission by age group occurred in 30–39 bracket.

Between January and June 2014, 1,676 cases of HIV and 598 cases of AIDS with 402 deaths were recorded.{{cite web |url=http://english.astroawani.com/news/show/hiv-aids-claim-16-742-lives-in-malaysia-since-1986-44664?cp |title=HIV/AIDS claim 16,742 lives in Malaysia since 1986 |publisher=Astro Awani |access-date=29 September 2014}} Out of this new infection, 79.7% are men.

{{bar box

|title=Reported New HIV Infections in Malaysia by Ethnic Groups (2016){{cite web |url=http://www.mac.org.my/v3/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Snapshot-of-HIV-AIDS-in-Malaysia-2016_Brochure_31072017-Web.pdf |title=Snapshot of HIV & AIDS in Malaysia 2016 |publisher=Malaysia Aids Council |access-date=6 March 2019}}

|titlebar=#DDD

|left1=Percentage

|right2=%

|width=400px

|bars=

{{bar pixel|Malay|red|57.5}}

{{bar pixel|Chinese|green|20.9}}

{{bar pixel|Indian|blue|6.9}}

{{bar pixel|Foreigner|orange|1.8}}

{{bar pixel|Others|silver|12.9}}

|caption=}}

In 2013, heterosexuals transmission recorded the highest (51%), followed by Injecting Drug User (22%) and Homo/Bisexual transmission (22%). The scenario shifted gradually whereby in 2016, the means of transmission of new HIV cases were highest among Homo/Bisexual (46%), followed by Heterosexual (39%), Injecting Drug User (11%), Others (4%) and Mother-to-Child (1%).

In October 2018, Malaysia becomes the first country in the Western Pacific region to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of both HIV and syphilis, officially validated by the World Health Organization (WHO).{{cite web |url=https://www.avert.org/news/malaysia-eliminates-hiv-transmission-mother-child |title=Malaysia eliminates HIV transmission from mother-to-child|publisher=Avert |access-date=21 November 2018|date=2 November 2018|author=Caitlin Mahon}}

{{Pie chart

| caption= HIV transmission by risk factor in 2016
(% of 3,397 new infections)

| label1 = Homosexual/Bisexual

| value1 = 46

| label2 = Heterosexual

| value2 = 39

| label3 = Injecting Drug User (PWID)

| value3 = 11

| label4 = Others

| value4 = 4

| label5 = Mother-to-Child

| value5 = 1

}}

{{Pie chart

| caption= HIV transmission by age group in 2016
(% of 3,397 new infections)

| label1 = 20–29

| value1 = 40

| label2 = 30–39

| value2 = 31

| label3 = 40–49

| value3 = 16

| label4 = > 50

| value4 = 9

| label5 = 13–19

| value5 = 3

| label6 = < 13

| value6 = 1

}}

The HIV epidemic in Malaysia is concentrated in these key populations;

; Sex workers

Sex worker accounts for 0.6% of total reported cases thus far. However, the number of cases reported among sex workers are grossly under reported. In 2014, Integrated Bio-Behavioral Surveillance (IBBS) in female sex workers shows an increase of sex workers living with HIV to 7.3% from 4.2% in 2012.

; Transgender

An IBBS done in 2009 found HIV prevalence among the group at 9.3%, and was decreased to 4.8% in 2012. However, in 2014, the IBBS shows an increase of HIV prevalence to 5.6%.

; Injecting Drug Users

At the beginning of the epidemic, injecting drug user (PWID) accounted for 70–80% of all new reported cases. This has started to decline since 2004. In 2011, PWID accounts for 39% of new reported cases. In 2014, 16.3% of the PWID are reported living with HIV.

; Men who have sex with men (MSM)

IBBS conducted in 2012 shows 7.1% of MSMs is living with HIV. In 2014, the figure has increased to 8.9%.

In 2001, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health developed a non-compulsory ‘Code of Practice on Prevention and Management of HIV and AIDS' which supports the creation of a non-judgemental and non-discriminatory work environment.{{cite web |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/govt-to-draft-new-rules-to-curb-workplace-discrimination-against-people-wit#4u8EpDcH2Rio8yUg.97 |title=Govt to draft new rules to curb workplace discrimination against people with HIV, AIDS |publisher=Malay Mail |access-date=15 October 2017}}

During the 2011 Nineteenth ASEAN Summit, Malaysia together with other ASEAN nations, adopted the "ASEAN Declaration of Commitment: Getting To Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination, Zero AIDS-Related Deaths, Bali, Indonesia, 17 November 2011" to reaffirm their commitment in working towards realizing an ASEAN community with Zero HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS-related Deaths.{{cite web |url=http://asean.org/?static_post=asean-structure-asean-summit |title=Nineteenth ASEAN Summit, Bali, Indonesia, 14–19 November 2011|publisher=ASEAN |access-date=17 November 2017}}

On 13 October 2017, the then-Ministry of Human Resources Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Richard Riot Jaem announced that the government wants to draft a new regulation in an effort to eliminate discrimination against people living with HIV or AIDS at the workplace. The ministry plans to legislate the HIV and AIDS in Workplace Policy by 2020.{{cite web |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/10/13/new-regulation-eliminate-discrimination-against-people-hiv-and-workplace-soon-update |title=New regulation to eliminate discrimination against people with HIV and at workplace soon (Updated)|publisher=The Sun Daily |access-date=15 October 2017}} In October 2018, it is reported that the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) is currently working with the Ministry of Human Resources on a policy to ensure that people with HIV/AIDS including those receiving treatment are not discriminated when it comes to employment.{{cite web |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2018/10/16/no-more-discrimination-those-hivaids-employment-mac |title=No more discrimination of those with HIV/AIDS in employment: MAC|publisher=The Sun Daily |access-date=1 November 2018|date=16 October 2018}}

Mandatory pre-marital HIV screening for Muslim couples was made mandatory by the Religious Department of State Government in nine states, beginning in November 2001 in Johor, followed by Perak, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Pahang, Selangor, and possibly Melaka. Beginning January 2009, Muslim couples in the entire country are required to submit to premarital HIV testing.{{cite web|url=https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/mandatory-premarital-hiv-testing-20100513.pdf |title=Mandatory Premarital HIV Testing|publisher=Open Society Institute |access-date=15 January 2019}}

In 2018, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development mulls to make HIV testing mandatory for non-Muslim couples seeking marriage as well.{{cite web |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/government-public-policy/2018/12/441574/govt-seeks-make-hiv-testing-mandatory-non-muslim |title=Govt seeks to make HIV testing mandatory for non-Muslim couples seeking marriage as well|publisher=New Straits Times |access-date=15 January 2019|date=17 December 2018}} The proposal is strongly opposed by NGOs such as the Malaysian AIDS Council and the Sarawak AIDS Concern Society (SACS) citing the stance of World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS that do not support compulsory screening of individuals for HIV.{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/12/21/ngo-opposes-mandatory-hiv-screening-for-non-muslim-couples/ |title=NGO opposes mandatory HIV screening for non-Muslim couples|work=The Star |access-date=15 January 2019|date=21 December 2018}}

The first line of highly active antiretroviral therapy is provided for free in Malaysia by the Ministry of Health since 2006.{{cite web |url=http://www.moh.gov.my/images/gallery/Garispanduan/HIVGUIDELINES.pdf |title=Guidelines for the Management of Adult HIV Infection with Antiretroviral Therapy |publisher=Ministry of Health |access-date=15 April 2016 |archive-date=15 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215005034/http://www.moh.gov.my/images/gallery/Garispanduan/HIVGUIDELINES.pdf |url-status=dead }} By the end of 2020, 58 per cent of reported PLHIV received antiretroviral therapy, and 85 per cent of those on antiretroviral treatment became virally suppressed.

In September 2018, "HIV Connect", a self–paced, online learning platform that is designed for primary care physicians and other healthcare practitioners in Malaysia was launched. The online learning platform is a joint effort between the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) and the Malaysian Society for HIV Medicine (MASHM) to educate doctors regarding care and management of HIV/AIDS patients.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmgazette.com/hiv-connect-for-primary-care-physicians-and-healthcare-practitioners/ |title=HIV Connect for Primary Care Physicians and Healthcare Practitioners |publisher=The Malaysian Medical Gazette |access-date=1 November 2018|date=21 September 2018}}

File:MajlisAIDSMalaysia.jpg]]

• Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) is a Malaysian non-profit organisation with a mission to represent, mobilise and strengthen non-governmental organisations and communities who were working with HIV/AIDS issues.
• PT Foundation (formerly known as Pink Triangle) is a community-based organisation "providing HIV/AIDS education, prevention, care and support programs, sexuality awareness and empowerment programs for vulnerable communities in Malaysia". The communities include MSM (men who have sex with men), transgender, sex workers, drug users, and people living with HIV.
• Kuala Lumpur AIDS Support Services Society (KLASS) [https://klass.org.my/]
• APCASO – Asia Pacific Council of AIDS Service Organizations [http://www.apcaso.org/v2/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612104439/http://www.apcaso.org/v2/ |date=12 June 2016 }}
• Tenaganita is a human rights organisation dedicated in assisting, building, advocating and protecting migrants, refugees, women and children from exploitation, abuse, discrimination, slavery and human trafficking.[https://tenaganita.net/]
• Persatuan Pengasih Malaysia (PENGASIH)
• Community AIDS Service Penang (CASP) [http://www.casp.com.my/index.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805171109/http://www.casp.com.my/index.html |date=5 August 2017 }}
• Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia (FRHAM) [http://www.frham.org.my/]
• Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (PPIM)
• Sarawak AIDS Concern Society (SACS) [https://www.facebook.com/SarawakAIDSConcernSociety/]
• Women and Health Association of Kuala Lumpur (WAKE)
• Persatuan Perantaraan Pesakit-Pesakit Kelantan (SAHABAT)[https://www.facebook.com/SAHABATKELANTAN]
• Pertubuhan Advokasi Masyarakat Terpinggir, a non-governmental organisation for marginalised communities.

• [http://mysdatahub.org/ Data Hub Satellite Page of Malaysia] – a joint web platform between UNAIDS and the Ministry of Health of Malaysia.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160811190907/http://www.moh.gov.my/images/gallery/Report/MalaysiaNSPEA2016-20302.3(Final_27Nov)_printed%20version.pdf National Strategic Plan for Ending AIDS 2016–2030]

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://mac.org.my Malaysian AIDS Council]

{{Asia topic|HIV/AIDS in}}

{{AIDS}}

{{portal bar|Malaysia|Medicine|Viruses|Sex work|LGBTQ}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:HIV AIDS in Malaysia}}