PENAMPANG: There are 2,649 HIV cases detected in Sabah up to mid-2017, said State Health Department director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi.
Dr Christina said 111,196 cases had been reported in Malaysia since HIV was first detected in 1986.
“A total of 23,717 are people with AIDS and 18,827 people have died due to AIDS,” she said when launching the state-level World Aids Day celebration here yesterday.
“In Sabah, up to June 30, 2017, a total of 2,649 HIV cases have been reported. A total of 1,043 people were with AIDS while 451 were reported to have died of AIDS,” she added.
The state director said in conjunction with the celebration the Health Ministry had reiterated its commitment to overcome HIV as well as AIDS and would ensure that the high risk group was given the right medical attention.
She also reminded the people, especially teenagers and youths, to avoid activities that can cause them to be infected with the HIV virus.
“Try to keep yourself healthy, practice a healthy way of life, avoid taking drugs and abstain from extramarital sex or sex with multiple couples,” she said.
“If you have been involved with this activity, take the HIV and STD screening tests in nearby health clinics. Confidentiality of HIV positives is always ensured by health personnel managing and treating cases,” assured Dr Christina.