Significant drop in new HIV infections

Malaysia recorded a significant drop in new HIV infections.

In the last two decades, Malaysia had a 54% decrease in new HIV infections for the period 2002 to 2024, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The Health Minister stated in a written parliamentary reply that in 2024, a total of 3,185 new HIV cases were reported, showing a slight decrease compared to 3,222 cases in 2023.

“In terms of HIV cases transmitted through homosexual or bisexual contact, 2,037 cases were reported in 2024, representing a 2% increase compared with 1,995 cases in 2023,” he said in reply to a question raised by Zulkifli bin Ismail (PN-Jasin)

Zulkifli asked for the latest statistics and year-on-year comparison of HIV patients among the LGBTQ community by category, as well as HIV patients resulting from drug abuse.

New HIV infections linked to the sharing of contaminated needles and syringes among drug users have dropped significantly from 66% (4,038 cases) in 2005 to 2.7% (87 cases) in 2023, and further to 2.4% (77 cases) in 2024 following the implementation of the harm reduction programme in 2005/2006.