PUTRAJAYA, Dec 2 — The Health ministry recorded 95,470 cases of HIV in the country from 1986 to September this year with the number of new cases showing a decrease of 42 per cent, from 5,830 cases in 2006 to 3,397 cases last year.

This year, 3,014 new cases were reported until September.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said Malaysia has shown great progress in combating HIV/ AIDS  since it was first detected in the country 31 years ago with new cases and AIDS-related deaths showing a downward trend.

In a message in conjunction with the World AIDS Day 2017 yesterday, he said the death toll from AIDS recorded a decrease of 31 per cent, 911 cases in 2016 compared to 1,321 cases in 2006.

"I believe that with leadership, commitment and the cooperation of various parties and the role of society, Malaysia will be able to stem the spread of HIV/ AIDS and ultimately put an end the scourge by 2030,”  he said in a statement here.

Hence, Dr Subramaniam advised the public, especially those at risk to undergo HIV screening and know the extent of infection to enable early treatment.

This year, Malaysia celebrates World AIDS Day with the theme, ‘Right to Health. Take Treatment, End AIDS.. 

World AIDS Day is observed on Dec 1 every year to create public awareness about the symptoms, causes of the pandemic disease and preventive measures as well as treatment towards ending the disease by 2030. — Bernama