TAIPING: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) self-test kits are now available to the public, says Perak Health Department director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha.
The kits can be purchased at selected pharmacies or through the Test Now website at testnow.com.my, he said.
"The self-test initiative is a collaboration between the Health Ministry, the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, the Malaysian AIDS Council, and the Global Fund.
"Our efforts to end AIDS within the next six years is not an easy task," Dr Feisul Idzwan said during the state-level World AIDS Day celebration here yesterday.
"However, I believe that with leadership, policies, commitment, collaboration and the determination shown by various parties, the dream of ending AIDS by 2030 can be achieved."
Dr Feisul also noted a significant decline in new HIV infections in the country.
In 2023, the infection rate was 9.7 per 100,000 people, a sharp drop from 28.5 in 2002.
"For Perak, the rate of new HIV infections in 2023 is 4.86 per 100,000 people.
"I have seen numerous screening, treatment and health education initiatives carried out in partnership with both government and non-governmental organisations to reduce the transmission of the virus," he said.
Additionally, Malaysia successfully maintained the mother-to-child HIV transmission rate at 1.58%, below the target of less than 2% for HIV-positive mothers who do not breastfeed.
"For Perak, there have been no mother-to-child HIV transmission cases under the Elimination of Mother-To-Child Transmission Programme over the last five years, from 2019 to 2023," he added.
Dr Feisul Idzwan said among the ongoing awareness efforts is the Healthy Without AIDS Programme for Teenagers, held in schools for children aged 13 and 18.
"The programme emphasises behavioural modification to achieve optimal health by practising a healthy and risk-free lifestyle," he said.
