PAS launches ‘Islamic agenda' to eradicate HIV
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man launching the party's Get to Zero initiative to eradicate HIV in Malaysia. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA : PAS has unveiled its own initiative to eradicate HIV in Malaysia, which is also aimed at complementing the government's strategic plan to end AIDS by 2030.
The party's 'Get to Zero' initiative, launched by deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man today, is an effort based on Islamic values to manage the spread of HIV.
The announcement of the project comes amid controversy over a signboard put up by the Kuala Terengganu City Council warning against homosexuality, which a state executive councillor said was meant to create 'hatred' for homosexual acts.
PAS health bureau chief Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi said among the key efforts of the Get to Zero 'Islamic agenda' was early prevention of HIV infections among youths and at-risk groups like the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.
He said this could be done using the A-B-C-D approach, which he added represents 'abstinence', 'being faithful', 'condoms' and 'drugs'.
Yunus said the LGBT issue had become a growing concern, leaving a negative impact on society, particularly among young people.
'This issue contradicts our local culture and Islamic teachings, as stated in the Quran. Therefore, preventive efforts via education and raising awareness are very important,' he said in a statement.
He said PAS will also hold spiritual recovery and psychosocial programmes, provide HIV treatment through pre-exposure prophylaxis clinics and media advocacy campaigns to curb online content and applications that had 'sexually risky' elements.
'Together, we can move towards having zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination against HIV patients and zero deaths from AIDS,' he said.
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