AN average of 3,000 HIV-positive cases are reported annually to the Health Ministry, said its Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya in Penang. “We also get some 1,000 deaths among these HIV patients on an average.”He attributed random sexual intercourse as the current main contributor towards HIV infection. “Sharing needles between drug addicts used to be the main cause but now the trend has changed. — Photos: ZAINUDIN AHAD/The StarDr Hilmi said the total number of HIV cases reported from 1986 to 2016 was 108,519 cases, with 88% comprising men, 11% women and 1% children. “In Penang, a total of 4,523 HIV cases with 602 deaths had been reported since 1988 until last month.”“Our target is to end the epidemic by 2030.

Source: The Star November 15, 2017 00:22 UTC