Workplace policy on HIV needed to stop discrimination 

KUALA LUMPUR,  Dec 16 ( Bernama) -- Malaysian employers must ensure a proper policy is put in place to prevent sufferers of HIV from being stigmatised and discriminated at the workplace, says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. 

He said statistics have shown that up to 89 percent of people with HIV in Malaysia are those who are in the prime of their lives.

According to Dr Mahathir, the figures show how HIV has direct impact on businesses. 

“(Because of the direct impact) Therefore it is crucial for Malaysia to invest in a policy that will provide support for those infected and affected by HIV at the workplace. HIV discrimination is unlawful and should not be tolerated in this day and age. 

“To this end, the initiative by the Malaysian Business Consortium on HIV/AIDS at the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) to have a regulation in place to protect the rights HIV sufferers and manage HIV positive employees at the workplace in Malaysia, should be given attention,” he said in his speech at MAF’s Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award Gala Dinner here, tonight. 

The text of his speech was read out by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. 

Dr Mahathir said despite Malaysia having made major strides in tackling HIV,  the battle against HIV was  far from over, noting that the virus in Malaysia is now driven by sexual transmission where 90 per cent of all new infections are transmitted through sex.

He said although some may not want to talk about sex, it was about time they did in the context of public health. 

“We cannot sit on our moral high ground and look for who to blame for this occurrence. We need to be pragmatic. We need to continue saving lives.

“All stakeholders, including civil society, need to intensify  HIV prevention services to key populations. And they must be allowed to do their jobs whether in sex education or promoting the concept of safe sex,” he said. 

He acknowledged the progress made in treating HIV infections in Malaysia, including  the government heavily investing in ensuring free first-line HIV treatment is given out at Government healthcare facilities.

He said advancement in HIV treatment had also helped to significantly reduce the number of HIV/AIDS cases from more than 7,000 new cases in 2002 to approximately 3,000 new cases annually now. 

"Today, those who are on treatment and achieve sufficient viral suppression cannot infect others. The discovery that treatment equals to prevention was a ground breaking development in AIDS research and something that should also be the basis for our response in Malaysia

He added that Malaysia can be proud of its bold undertaking to stem the HIV epidemic among people who inject drugs by introducing the needle and syringe and methadone programme, also known as the Harm Reduction Programme.

During the fundraising dinner MAF also honoured the founder of Rumah Solehah,  Matron Fadzilah Abdul Hamid with the 2018 Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award for her commitment and dedication in creating a positive impact on communities most affected by HIV. 

Fadzilah received a trophy, a cash prize of RM10,000 and a certificate. 

-- BERNAMA