Latest news with #Lukanisman
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
HIV infection rate among tertiary institution students worrying, says ministry
KUCHING: The federal Health Ministry is creating a more targetted approach to reduce HIV incidences among students of higher education institutions following a revelation that 222 tertiary students in Malaysia were infected last year. Health Deputy Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the ministry is concerned that among the reported cases, a big number are young people. 'As of April 2025, 44 percent of HIV infected persons in Malaysia are aged between 20 and 29. 'Of great concern too is that in 2024 alone, 222 students in higher education institutes in the country were found infected with HIV. 'There are recorded cases of 1,691 of higher education students in Malaysia infected by HIV since 2021. 'This shows that we need to have more comprehensive and targetted approach aimed at HIV prevention among our youths,' he said at the Asean Regional Dialogue in Kuching city on 'Affordable Antiretroviral Drugs and Promoting Community Based Testing'. Lukanisman however added that Malaysia has by and large been successful in tackling HIV. He said his ministry in collaboration with the Malaysian AIDS Foundation and Malaysian AIDS Council has succeeded in notching a decline of new cases nationwide last year as compared to 2023. 'In 2024, the number of new HIV infections reported nationwide was 3,185 cases. 'In 2023, the number of new reported HIV cases nationwide was 6,978. 'So we have seen a reduction of new cases by about half.' He ascribed the reduction to continous efforts by the ministry, foundation and council to increase awareness and lifestyle-change campaigns among the general public as well as enhancing public access to screening and treatment. As far as Sarawak is concerned, the statistics showed that HIV cases are mainly found in Kuching, Miri and Sibu.
The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Asean key in affordable next-gen HIV meds
KUCHING: Asean must work together to reduce the cost of next-generation antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV patients in their respective countries, says Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. The Deputy Health Minister said regional cooperation was vital to procure these drugs at fair and affordable prices. 'The cost of ARV drugs is high due to their intellectual property, so we need to work together on regional procurement solutions. 'Buying in bulk through an Asean regional platform will facilitate easier access to these drugs,' he told reporters after opening the Asean regional dialogue on affordable ARV drugs and promoting community-based testing here yesterday. Lukanisman also said Malaysia was working to reduce the cost of a new fixed-dose combination drug known as Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir (TLD). 'The current ARV costs about RM500 a year. TLD is a new medicine, which would cost over RM200 a month but we want to reduce it to at least RM100 per month. 'The cost is higher than the previous ARV but it's more effective in treating patients,' he said.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Kuching tops Sarawak HIV cases for 5th year as 74 recorded in 2024
Lukanisman speaks to reporters during the press conference. Also seen are Dr Ismuni (left) and Jamilah Anu (right). – Photo by Roystein Emmor 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
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Kuching tops Sarawak HIV cases for 5th year as 74 new cases recorded in 2024
Lukanisman speaks to reporters during the press conference. Also seen are Dr Ismuni (left) and Jamilah Anu (right). – Photo by Roystein Emmor 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
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Malaysia pushes Asean joint procurement to cut HIV treatment costs
(From left) Dr Ismuni, Lukanisman, Jamilah Anu, and Dr Veronica pose for a photo call after the opening ceremony of the Asean Regional Dialogue on Affordable ARV Drugs and Promoting CBT. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 17): Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni acknowledged that the high cost of antiretroviral (ARV) medication remains one of Malaysia's major challenges in HIV prevention and treatment. The government, he said, is actively pursuing regional joint procurement efforts to reduce prices. He stated that Malaysia is advocating for the use of Asean's regional cooperation platform to collectively procure ARV drugs, aiming to reduce the costs through shared procurement mechanisms. 'Malaysia is championing regional cooperation through joint procurement platforms. 'Many of these medications are tied to intellectual property protections, so a collaborative approach could help us negotiate better prices and improve access,' he told a press conference after officiating the Asean Regional Dialogue on Affordable Antiretroviral (ARV) Drugs and the Promotion of Community-Based Testing (CBT) here today. Lukanisman further revealed that the current monthly cost of the new‑generation TLD (Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Dolutegravir) regimen is approximately RM200. 'The TLD costs around RM200 per month, but we want to reduce it to at least RM100 per month. 'While the price is actually higher than the previous ARV, it is more efficient to treat patients with this TLD,' he noted. He also highlighted Malaysia's dependence on imports, primarily from India, where producers benefit from economies of scale and advanced biosimilar technology. 'We don't yet have the capacity to manufacture these high‑end ARVs domestically,' he said. In addition to treatment, Lukanisman emphasised the expansion of the national Pre‑Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) programme, now available at 35 Ministry of Health (MoH) clinics, including those in Kuching, Miri and Sibu. Despite early criticism, he defended PrEP as 'not just treatment, but a form of protection, especially for groups at high risk,' stressing that equal access to healthcare is a fundamental right. The ASEAN Regional Dialogue on Affordable ARV Drugs and promoting CBT is organised by the MoH, running from July 17 to 19 at the Hilton Hotel here. The dialogue is a strategic collaboration between the MoH, the state government, the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, the Malaysian AIDS Council, and regional partners from Asean member states. The three-day forum brings together policymakers, health experts, and community representatives to strengthen regional cooperation in ending AIDS by 2030, through affordable treatment and expanded community testing. Among those present 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 State Director of Health Dr Veronica Lugah. ARV cost HIV Lukanisman Awang Sauni
