DECEMBER 1 — There is a disjointed discourse when we talk about HIV and AIDS. There is no doubt there are so many reasons for us to be optimistic about the state of the epidemic, and how far we have progressed with regard to HIV treatment and prevention science. The epidemic has also sparked an unprecedented level of international collaboration and a new breed of social activism that the world has never seen before. In the medical front, we have in our hand tools that can prevent onward transmission of HIV by more than 97 per cent and protect an unborn child from HIV during pregnancy. People living with HIV today can enjoy many healthy years as a result of effective modern treatment options.

And yet, here we are trapped in a situation where our progress has faltered. The rate of new HIV infection has plateaued where they should be declining. We still record sizeable AIDS-related deaths every year; a grim reminder that treatment did not reach soon enough to those who needed them the most. And not forgetting, AIDS progress was sidetracked in our fight against Covid. Meanwhile, stigma and discrimination continue to impact the livelihood of People Living with HIV — creating unnecessary barrier to HIV treatment, prevention and care services and putting the community at a severely disadvantageous position. In certain workplace, AIDS-related discrimination is close to being institutionalised by outright rejection and unreasonable demand by employers for HIV status disclosures even when the situation is unwarranted. We are also hitting the wall with regard to insurance protection for PLHIV.

It is regrettable that our setbacks in ending the AIDS progress were perpetuated by inequalities. We know exactly what needs to be done to end the AIDS epidemic, but we simply don’t have enough willpower to do it.

Most critically, we must be brazen enough to reform laws, policies and practices to tackle the stigma and exclusion faced by PLHIV and the marginalised populations so that everyone is shown respect and is welcomed without prejudice, and this include men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who use drugs, sex workers — and their partners.

Ten years ago, Malaysia created ripples across the globe when the Government funded the controversial Needle Syringe Exchange Programme to stem HIV epidemic among Injecting Drug Users. Despite having a punitive drug law that ranks among the world’s toughest and society steeped in conservatism, we prevailed to great success.

It is time for us to show similar level of leadership and determination in addressing the rising tides of sexual transmission of HIV, especially among the MSM community. In this time of crisis, we must remove all forms of intimidation and barriers that prevent access to critical HIV prevention services such as condoms and the pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP.

The call for economic equality also needs to be amplified. With PLHIV now having a lifespan and level of productivity equal to someone who is not living with HIV, there is absolutely no reason for HIV status to become a stumbling block for access to employment. These are the messages embedded in this year’s World AIDS Day theme, "Equalise” — a call for action to address the inequalities which are holding back progress in ending AIDS.

* World AIDS Day Message by Chairman of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, Professor Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman.

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.