ASEAN calls for regional cooperation to lower HIV drug costs
He emphasised the importance of these medications in sustaining successful HIV treatment programmes.
'We must collectively explore strategies to secure better pricing, voluntary licensing, and regional procurement solutions.
We must move forward not in isolation, but as a unified region,' he said during the opening of the ASEAN Regional Dialogue on Affordable ARV Drugs and Promoting Community-Based Testing (CBT) for Key Populations.
Currently, the average annual cost of ARV treatment in Malaysia is around RM500.
However, the country is shifting to a more advanced drug, Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir (TLD), which costs RM200 per month.
'The new TLD costs approximately RM200 per month, but our goal is to reduce it to at least RM100 per month. Although it is more expensive than the previous ARV, it is significantly more effective in treating patients,' Lukanisman explained. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
11 hours ago
- Barnama
Former Indonesian President Sby Returns To Painting While Undergoing Treatment In Hospital
By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar JAKARTA, July 19 (Bernama) -- Former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is currently undergoing treatment at the Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital in Central Jakarta, is reported to be showing positive progress and has resumed painting in his hospital room. According to a statement posted on his official Instagram account, although his right hand is still attached to an intravenous drip, Yudhoyono – widely known as SBY – has been creating artwork using his left hand. bootstrap slideshow 'A set of painting tools was made available in the hospital room this morning… he held the brush and painted with all his heart, blending colours together. It was a touching moment,' the post said on Saturday. A photo of the artwork in progress was also shared, though the piece is not yet complete and is still being refined. It will be shared again once finished. The statement also asked the public to pray for SBY, who has a deep love for the arts, music, and poetry, to recover soon and return to his daily routine. Democratic Party spokesperson Herzaky Mahendra Putra confirmed that SBY is receiving medical treatment, though no official details have been released about his illness. The 75-year-old sixth president of Indonesia, born in Pacitan, East Java, governed from 2004 to 2014. He was also the country's first directly elected president through a presidential election. -- BERNAMA
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Health event was misrepresented as 'gay party', say rights group
PETALING JAYA: A recent police raid in Kelantan, initially labelled as a "gay party," was actually a health event, claims rights group Justice for Sisters. The group is urging the Kelantan police to verify and correct any misinformation they disseminated regarding the event. The incident, which was widely reported, sparked quick discriminatory remarks against LGBTQ individuals from various quarters, increasing fears of further discrimination and marginalisation. "Justice for Sisters' documentation of the event is completely different from the police's account," the group stated. According to the group, the event was a health initiative providing sexual health and HIV-related information, condoms, and voluntary testing to promote safer sexual practices. Healthcare providers were present to deliver health talks. By midnight, the event was winding down, with about 20 individuals awaiting their test results. "None of them provided sexual services at the event or were there to provide sexual services. The attendees were at the event to seek sexual health information and tests," the group clarified. Contrary to police claims, no attendees paid a fee to attend, nor was the event promoted on social media. Justice for Sisters also noted that although police tested the remaining attendees for drug use, all results were negative. However, three individuals were arrested for possessing intimate content, which the group maintains are trumped-up charges. The raid has heightened fears among LGBTQ individuals about seeking health services or attending similar events in the future. The group highlighted that police have generally refrained from raiding health events targeting marginalised groups, as such actions counter public health goals. Expressing concern about this re-emerging trend, Justice for Sisters urged the Health Ministry to investigate. "Such raids and threats to health centres have a deterring effect on health-seeking behaviour among marginalised populations," they said. The group also documented human rights violations by the police during the raid, including privacy breaches and degrading treatment of attendees. They called for police to adopt a compassionate and professional approach to ensure the rights of marginalised groups are protected.
Malay Mail
15 hours ago
- Malay Mail
It's haze season again: Unhealthy air readings recorded in Port Dickson, Johan Setia
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan and Johan Setia in Selangor recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 4 pm today. According to the Environment Department's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) website, Port Dickson registered an API reading of 124, while Johan Setia recorded 109. Meanwhile, 60 other areas recorded moderate API levels, including Banting, Selangor (94), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (89), Nilai, Negeri Sembilan (86), Kota Bharu, Kelantan (85), Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu (84) and Sungai Petani, Kedah (83). API readings between 0 and 50 are categorised as good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy), while 300 and above are hazardous. The API data is released hourly, based on readings from 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide. — Bernama
