Latest news with #LukanismanAwangSauni
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
HIV infection rate among tertiary institution students worrying, says ministry
KUCHING: The federal Health Ministry is creating a more targetted approach to reduce HIV incidences among students of higher education institutions following a revelation that 222 tertiary students in Malaysia were infected last year. Health Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the ministry is concerned that among the reported cases, a big number are young people. 'As of April 2025, 44 percent of HIV infected persons in Malaysia are aged between 20 and 29. 'Of great concern too is that in 2024 alone, 222 students in higher education institutes in the country were found infected with HIV. 'There are recorded cases of 1,691 of higher education students in Malaysia infected by HIV since 2021. 'This shows that we need to have more comprehensive and targetted approach aimed at HIV prevention among our youths,' he said at the Asean Regional Dialogue in Kuching city on 'Affordable Antiretroviral Drugs and Promoting Community Based Testing'. Lukanisman however added that Malaysia has by and large been successful in tackling HIV. He said his ministry in collaboration with the Malaysian AIDS Foundation and Malaysian AIDS Council has succeeded in notching a decline of new cases nationwide last year as compared to 2023. 'In 2024, the number of new HIV infections reported nationwide was 3,185 cases. 'In 2023, the number of new reported HIV cases nationwide was 6,978. 'So we have seen a reduction of new cases by about half.' He ascribed the reduction to continous efforts by the ministry, foundation and council to increase awareness and lifestyle-change campaigns among the general public as well as enhancing public access to screening and treatment. As far as Sarawak is concerned, the statistics showed that HIV cases are mainly found in Kuching, Miri and Sibu.
The Star
3 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Asean key in affordable next-gen HIV meds
KUCHING: Asean must work together to reduce the cost of next-generation antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV patients in their respective countries, says Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. The Deputy Health Minister said regional cooperation was vital to procure these drugs at fair and affordable prices. 'The cost of ARV drugs is high due to their intellectual property, so we need to work together on regional procurement solutions. 'Buying in bulk through an Asean regional platform will facilitate easier access to these drugs,' he told reporters after opening the Asean regional dialogue on affordable ARV drugs and promoting community-based testing here yesterday. Lukanisman also said Malaysia was working to reduce the cost of a new fixed-dose combination drug known as Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir (TLD). 'The current ARV costs about RM500 a year. TLD is a new medicine, which would cost over RM200 a month but we want to reduce it to at least RM100 per month. 'The cost is higher than the previous ARV but it's more effective in treating patients,' he said.
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Malaysia pushes Asean joint procurement to cut HIV treatment costs
(From left) Dr Ismuni, Lukanisman, Jamilah Anu, and Dr Veronica pose for a photo call after the opening ceremony of the Asean Regional Dialogue on Affordable ARV Drugs and Promoting CBT. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 17): Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni acknowledged that the high cost of antiretroviral (ARV) medication remains one of Malaysia's major challenges in HIV prevention and treatment. The government, he said, is actively pursuing regional joint procurement efforts to reduce prices. He stated that Malaysia is advocating for the use of Asean's regional cooperation platform to collectively procure ARV drugs, aiming to reduce the costs through shared procurement mechanisms. 'Malaysia is championing regional cooperation through joint procurement platforms. 'Many of these medications are tied to intellectual property protections, so a collaborative approach could help us negotiate better prices and improve access,' he told a press conference after officiating the Asean Regional Dialogue on Affordable Antiretroviral (ARV) Drugs and the Promotion of Community-Based Testing (CBT) here today. Lukanisman further revealed that the current monthly cost of the new‑generation TLD (Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Dolutegravir) regimen is approximately RM200. 'The TLD costs around RM200 per month, but we want to reduce it to at least RM100 per month. 'While the price is actually higher than the previous ARV, it is more efficient to treat patients with this TLD,' he noted. He also highlighted Malaysia's dependence on imports, primarily from India, where producers benefit from economies of scale and advanced biosimilar technology. 'We don't yet have the capacity to manufacture these high‑end ARVs domestically,' he said. In addition to treatment, Lukanisman emphasised the expansion of the national Pre‑Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) programme, now available at 35 Ministry of Health (MoH) clinics, including those in Kuching, Miri and Sibu. Despite early criticism, he defended PrEP as 'not just treatment, but a form of protection, especially for groups at high risk,' stressing that equal access to healthcare is a fundamental right. The ASEAN Regional Dialogue on Affordable ARV Drugs and promoting CBT is organised by the MoH, running from July 17 to 19 at the Hilton Hotel here. The dialogue is a strategic collaboration between the MoH, the state government, the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, the Malaysian AIDS Council, and regional partners from Asean member states. The three-day forum brings together policymakers, health experts, and community representatives to strengthen regional cooperation in ending AIDS by 2030, through affordable treatment and expanded community testing. Among those present were the Patron of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation Borneo Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, Deputy Director General of Public Health Dr Ismuni Bohari, and State Director of Health Dr Veronica Lugah. ARV cost HIV Lukanisman Awang Sauni
The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
ASEAN calls for regional cooperation to lower HIV drug costs
KUCHING: ASEAN must develop a regional approach to address the high cost of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV treatment, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. He emphasised the importance of these medications in sustaining successful HIV treatment programmes. 'We must collectively explore strategies to secure better pricing, voluntary licensing, and regional procurement solutions. We must move forward not in isolation, but as a unified region,' he said during the opening of the ASEAN Regional Dialogue on Affordable ARV Drugs and Promoting Community-Based Testing (CBT) for Key Populations. Currently, the average annual cost of ARV treatment in Malaysia is around RM500. However, the country is shifting to a more advanced drug, Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir (TLD), which costs RM200 per month. 'The new TLD costs approximately RM200 per month, but our goal is to reduce it to at least RM100 per month. Although it is more expensive than the previous ARV, it is significantly more effective in treating patients,' Lukanisman explained. - Bernama
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Malaysia leads push for collective Asean action on HIV treatment affordability
KUCHING: With the cost of treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients in Asean countries likely to soar as the number of new cases rise sharply yearly, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni has called on member states to work collectively to lower the cost of treatment to affordable and equitable level. With international funding across the region shrinking, he said, member states must therefore move forward not in isolation, but as a unified region. Opening the Asean regional dialogue on affordable anti-retroviral drugs and workshop on promoting community-based testing for key population here, he warned that their failure to cut the high cost of treatment leaves Asean countries at risk of losing the momentum of their fight in tackling HIV/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). "With significant reductions in support from global mechanisms such as the Global Fund and PEPFAR, Asean countries are at risk of losing critical momentum. This is especially alarming when we consider the increasing cost burden of providing HIV services." PEPFAR is the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief,a United States government initiative launched in 2003 by former president George W. Bush to combat the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Lukanisman said if Asean could secure equitable access to treatment, it would keep the grouping "firmly on the path to ending AIDS by 2030". Later, in his press conference, he said the cost of treatment per victim is RM500 per year. But with the new drug called TLD — TenofovirLamivudine-Dolutegravir — the cost is RM209 per year. "But we are trying to reduce it to RM100." He said ensuring access to affordable next-generation anti-retroviral drugs, especially Dolutegravir (DTG) and TLD, becomes even more urgent. "These medications are essential for sustaining treatment success and are aligned with World Health Organisation (WHO)-recommended regimens. We must collectively explore strategies to secure better pricing, voluntary licensing and regional procurement solutions through mechanisms such as the Medicines Patent Pool." Reeling figures on HIV cases in the country,Lukanisman said there has been "a huge decrease" of 50 per cent since 2010. "Malaysia has made notable progress in the national HIV response, with our 2024 treatment cascade now standing at 64–94–93. This means 64 per cent of people living with HIV in Malaysia know their status, 94 per cent of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 93 per cent of those on treatment are virally suppressed." The target set, he said , was 95-95-95. He said while Malaysia is proud of its high treatment and viral suppression rates, the biggest gap the country must urgently address is in diagnosis. "To reach the first 95 target, we must find innovative and targeted approaches to increase HIV screening and diagnosis, especially among key populations. One of the most effective strategies is community-based testing (CBT) — testing led by communities, for communities. "It is a strategy proven to reach individuals who might not, otherwise, access health facilities due to stigma, discrimination, or other barriers. CBT, particularly when led by key population groups or trusted non-governmental organisations, is not only efficient, it is empowering." More than 15 health experts from Brunei, Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Philippines, Singapore and host Malaysia are attending the workshop.
