Pre-marital HIV testing in Malaysia

Malaysia plans to introduce mandatory pre-marital HIV testing for couples across the entire country next year, according to the deputy prime minister.

Screening is already routine in Johor, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Sabah, Sarawak and Selangor.

However, next year Datuk Seri Najib Razak plans to introduce the measures across all states.

Although the number of people becoming infected with HIV has fallen by almost half over the last five years, more women are contracting than men, reported AFP.

Mr Najib Razak said the number of new female HIV cases through sexual intercourse rose to 16 per cent from five per cent in 1997.

There were 3,452 new HIV cases in 2008 compared with 6,756 in 2003.

Screening would reduce the number of infections among women, the deputy told reporters after a meeting of the cabinet's Aids committee.

Unicef is currently collaborating with the government on an education campaign for children and action to empower women and young people to make informed life-choices.

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