Rabu, 9 Jun 2010

More than 70% of AIDS/HIV sufferers in Malaysia are Muslims: AIDS Council

KUALA TERENGGANU: More than 70% of the 87,710 HIV/AIDS sufferers in the country are Muslims, Malaysian AIDS Council vice-president Datuk Zaman Khan said.

Therefore, he said, the celebration for this year's World AIDS Day would emphasise efforts to enhance awareness on AIDS among Muslims.

He said what was more worrying was a report by the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS)on AIDS, which stated that nine Malaysians were infected with the disease every day.

Also of concern was the spread of the disease among women, from 9.5% in 2000 to 20% last year, he said, when speaking at a function to commemorate World AIDS Day here Tuesday night.

He said that in 2000, the main cause of women being infected with HIV/AIDS was drug addiction, but lately, it had been attributed to heterosexual sex (30%).

On HIV/AIDS sufferers in Terengganu, he said a total of 315 new cases were reported last year.

Kelantan recorded the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases at 596, KUALA TERENGGANU: More than 70% of the 87,710 HIV/AIDS sufferers in the country are Muslims, Malaysian AIDS Council vice-president Datuk Zaman Khan said.

Therefore, he said, the celebration for this year's World AIDS Day would emphasise efforts to enhance awareness on AIDS among Muslims.

He said what was more worrying was a report by the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS)on AIDS, which stated that nine Malaysians were infected with the disease every day.

Also of concern was the spread of the disease among women, from 9.5% in 2000 to 20% last year, he said, when speaking at a function to commemorate World AIDS Day here Tuesday night.

He said that in 2000, the main cause of women being infected with HIV/AIDS was drug addiction, but lately, it had been attributed to heterosexual sex (30%).

On HIV/AIDS sufferers in Terengganu, he said a total of 315 new cases were reported last year.

Kelantan recorded the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases at 596, followed by Pahang (431) and Selangor (378), he added. - Bernama

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