Latest news with #2025MediaRoundtableConferenceonHarmReduction


The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Stop normalising immorality in personal freedom, urges Mohd Na'im
KUALA LUMPUR: The normalisation of immoral behaviour under the guise of personal freedom must be addressed urgently, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. He emphasised the need for society to uphold moral and spiritual values amid growing concerns over rising HIV cases among students. Recent data revealed 1,091 students from higher learning institutions were diagnosed with HIV between 2020 and 2024, including 222 new cases last year. Mohd Na'im described the figures as heartbreaking, noting that most cases involved youths aged 18 to 19. 'This trend is deeply troubling. Young people must safeguard their dignity and adhere to moral principles. Religion is not merely academic knowledge but a way of life. Live by values, not trends,' he said in a Facebook post. The minister called for a combined approach of education, awareness, and enforcement to tackle the issue. He urged religious agencies, NGOs, and educational institutions to collaborate in protecting the nation's youth. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni disclosed the statistics during a press conference after launching the 2025 Media Roundtable Conference on Harm Reduction. He highlighted challenges minors face in accessing HIV self-test kits and treatment due to legal restrictions on screening without parental consent.


Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Stop normalising immorality in the name of personal freedom, says religious affairs minister
Mohd Na'im expresses concern over the alarming rise in HIV cases among students, revealing that 1,091 students from institutions of higher learning were diagnosed with the virus between 2020 and 2024, including 222 new cases last year. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (July 3): The act of normalising immoral behaviour in the name of personal freedom must be stopped, and society must come together to restore moral and spiritual values, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. He expressed concern over the alarming rise in HIV cases among students, revealing that 1,091 students from institutions of higher learning were diagnosed with the virus between 2020 and 2024, including 222 new cases last year. 'This data is heartbreaking. Most cases involve teenagers aged 18 to 19. As the minister responsible for religious affairs, I am deeply troubled by this growing trend. 'Youths must preserve their dignity and hold firmly to moral values. Religion is not just knowledge to be learned, but a guide for daily life. Live by principles, not by following the crowd,' he said in a Facebook post. Mohd Na'im stressed that education, awareness and enforcement must go hand in hand to address the issue effectively. He called on religious agencies, NGOs and educational institutions to join forces to protect the country's future generation. The statistics were disclosed by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni during a press conference after launching the 2025 Media Roundtable Conference on Harm Reduction in Kuala Lumpur last Tuesday. Lukanisman also acknowledged the challenges faced by minors in accessing HIV self-test kits and follow-up treatment, due to the absence of legal provisions allowing screening without parental consent. – Bernama HIV Mohd Na'im moral normalising self-test spiritual values students


The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
222 HIV cases among Malaysian IPT students in 2023, says deputy minister
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 222 HIV infections were identified among students in higher learning institutions (IPT) last year, including individuals aged 18 and 19, according to Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. He disclosed that between 2020 and 2024, 1,091 HIV cases were recorded among IPT students. 'This suggests that high-risk activities occurred earlier, and our current harm reduction strategy includes PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) as a preventive measure,' he said during a press conference after launching the 2025 Media Roundtable Conference on Harm Reduction. Lukanisman noted that underage individuals face barriers in accessing HIV self-testing and treatment due to legal restrictions requiring parental consent. 'Without specific legislation, minors cannot undergo screening or treatment without parental approval, which discourages some from seeking help,' he explained. Dr Fazidah Yuswan, Head of the HIV/STI/HeP Sector C at the Health Ministry, stated that as of 2024, 36 per cent (29,941 individuals) of Malaysia's 83,937 HIV-positive population remain undiagnosed. 'We are intensifying community-based screening, and self-test kits are available via NGOs and the Malaysian AIDS Council for those reluctant to visit health facilities,' she said.


Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
222 HIV cases detected among higher learning institution students last year
More than 37 million people suffer from HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. – AFP Photo KUALA LUMPUR (July 1): A total of 222 HIV infections were detected among students of higher learning institutions (IPT) last year, including those as young as 18 and 19, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. He said that overall, 1,091 HIV infections were detected among IPT students between 2020 and 2024. 'This indicates that risky activities have already taken place earlier, and the harm reduction approach that we are implementing now is through the use of PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) as a preventive tool against HIV. 'PrEP has been rolled out in several facilities and its implementation has shown success,' he told a press conference after launching the 2025 Media Roundtable Conference on Harm Reduction here today. Lukanisman, however, acknowledged that underage teenagers face limitations in accessing HIV self-testing and follow-up treatment, as there is no legal provision that permits them to undergo screening without parental consent. 'There is no specific legislation apart from the requirement for parental permission for testing and treatment, which poses a challenge for those who wish to come forward,' he said. Meanwhile, Head of HIV/STI/HeP Sector C of the Health Ministry's Disease Control Division, Dr Fazidah Yuswan, said as of 2024, 36 per cent or 29,941 out of 83,937 individuals with HIV remain undetected. 'We are stepping up community-based screening efforts to detect more people living with HIV. For those hesitant to seek testing at health facilities, self-test kits are available through non-governmental organisations and the Malaysian AIDS Council,' she said. – Bernama HIV infection Lukanisman Awang Sauni students