By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 17: Kuching Division recorded the highest proportion of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in Sarawak in 2024, accounting for 34.1 per cent of the State’s total, despite Malaysia seeing a significant drop in new HIV infections nationwide.
According to a TVS news report, Deputy Health Minister Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni disclosed that Sarawak recorded 217 HIV cases last year, down from 248 in 2023. Following Kuching, Bintulu recorded 16.6 per cent of the cases, and Miri 16.1 per cent.
Nationally, Malaysia saw a notable decline in HIV cases, with 3,185 new infections recorded in 2024, nearly halving from 6,978 cases in 2023.
“This reduction of 3,793 cases is the result of continuous efforts by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with the Malaysian AIDS Foundation and Malaysian AIDS Council to improve awareness and access to screening and treatment,” Lukanisman said.
He noted that since 2010, the country’s HIV infection rate has dropped by almost 50 per cent. However, Malaysia has yet to meet the ‘zero HIV’ target outlined in the 95-95-95 strategic plan.
“As of now, 64 per cent of individuals with HIV in Malaysia are aware of their status, 94 per cent of those have received treatment, and 93 per cent are consistently on Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy,” he explained.
Lukanisman was speaking to reporters after officiating the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Regional Dialogue on Affordable Antiretroviral (ARV) Drugs and Promoting Community-Based Testing (CBT), held at a local hotel here today.
He also stressed the need for a comprehensive approach that targets youths, given that 44 per cent of people living with HIV in Malaysia are aged between 20 and 29 as of April 2025.
“More concerning is that 222 students from institutions of higher learning (IPTs) were infected with HIV in 2024 alone, bringing the total number of cases among IPT students to 1,091 since 2021,” he added. — DayakDaily
