Kuching tops Sarawak HIV cases for 5th year as infections decline slightly in 2024
KUCHING (July 17): Sarawak recorded 217 new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in 2024, with Kuching, Bintulu and Miri collectively accounting for over 66 per cent of the state's total, said deputy Health Minister, Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
Kuching alone reported 74 new cases (34.1 per cent) in 2024 – marking the fifth consecutive year it has led in new infections – followed by Bintulu with 36 cases (16.6 per cent) and Miri with 35 cases (16.1 per cent).
Between 2020 and 2024, Kuching's annual figures were 87, 120, 85, 70 and 74, respectively.
'Although new HIV infections in Sarawak fell from 248 in 2023 to 217 in 2024, the overall infection rate remains a cause for concern,' said Lukanisman.
He made these remarks during a press conference after officiating at the Asean Regional Dialogue on Affordable ARV Drugs and Community-Based Testing (CBT), held at a hotel here yesterday.
He noted that between 2019 and 2023, Sarawak consistently reported between 226 and 248 cases annually, with 2023 recording the highest rate at 9.88 cases per 100,000 population.
As of mid-2025, the state has already recorded 106 new cases.
'If the trend continues, this year's total will likely mirror last year's figure,' he added.
Nationwide, Malaysia has halved new HIV infections since 2010, but still falls short of the United Nations' 95-95-95 targets, which aim for 95 per cent of people living with HIV to know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed to receive treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression.
'Today, Malaysia has achieved 64 per cent in diagnosis, 94 per cent in treatment, and 93 per cent in viral suppression.
'While we have made progress, there is still a gap that needs to be addressed,' Lukanisman said.
Moreover, based on data collected by the authorities, he expressed concern over the increasing number of infections among men under 40, with 76 per cent of last year's new cases nationwide linked to high-risk sexual behaviour.
'The emergence of this demographic trend is alarming, thus, we must rethink our strategies to reach this younger population more effectively,' he said.
Lukanisman also stressed that the issue can only be addressed if high-risk groups are willing to come forward for testing.
'We are now promoting community-based testing led by the private sector so that individuals can undergo screening in familiar and trusted environments,' he explained.
He also reiterated his call for high-risk groups to actively participate in the Ministry of Health's (MoH) community-based testing initiatives, especially through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and trusted networks, to ensure more people can access testing and begin treatment in safe, non-discriminatory settings.
Present at the event were the Patron of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation Borneo Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu; Deputy Director General of Public Health Dr Ismuni Bohari; and the State Director of Health Dr Veronica Lugah. HIV Kuching Lukanisman Awang Sauni
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