AIDS in Asia II

AIDS in Asia II

More than 64,000 Malaysians were reported to have been infected with the virus between 1986 and 2004. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg because reported figures tend to be gross under-representations of actual infected persons.

According to one extrapolation, there could be as many as 300,000 HIV cases by 2015. By any measure, we have not made much headway in meeting the Millennium Development Goal of halting and reversing the epidemic in 10 years time.

Although the situation is critical, it is still not too late to act. If we can put a stop to the transmission of the virus by handing out free condoms and fresh needles and by introducing sex education in schools, then that is what should be done.

We should not allow myopic frames of mind to muddy the waters and hamstring the battle against this totally preventable disease. -- New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur