KUALA LUMPUR, 19 March 2009: An average of one Aids death and three HIV infections are recorded daily in the country, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abd Latif Ahmad said the figure was based on the number of HIV infections, totalling 80,000 cases a year.
He said there was a decline in the number of HIV cases — from 27% for every 100,000 people in 2003 to 17% for the same number of population in 2008.
“Efforts to contain the disease is ongoing through various programmes under the national strategic plan against Aids (2006-2010) which covers prevention, control, treatment and care as well as support for those infected with HIV,” he said.
Abd Latif said the government allocated RM500 million to implement programmes during the five-year period.
He was replying to Datuk Kamarul Baharin Abbas (PKR-Telok Kemang) on measures taken by the government to contain the disease. — Bernama
