While medical treatments have advanced significantly, not all illnesses have effective cures. If you're sexually active, it's crucial to always be aware of the potential transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

In a written parliamentary reply yesterday (July 3), Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir highlighted a concerning trend among university students in Malaysia: the rising number of tertiary students with HIV.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is one of many STDs that can be contracted through unprotected sex or sharing injection needles.

According to Dr. Zambry, from 2020 to 2023, 865 students from public and private universities were infected with HIV. Initially, the data showed a decline, but the number of reported cases soon began to rise again, which is alarming.

"In 2020, 214 college students were infected with HIV. This number dropped to 186 in 2021 but rose to 221 in 2022 and 244 in 2023. Among AIDS cases over these four years, college students accounted for 6.7% to 7.6%."

Last year, Health Minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa stated that, on average, eight people contract HIV daily in Malaysia. Although Malaysia successfully reduced new infections by up to 50% between 2000 and 2009, the current rate of decline is not as significant as hoped. Around 3,000 cases of HIV are reported annually, falling short of expectations.

"This is a threat to Malaysia's ability to achieve its commitment to ending HIV/AIDS by 2030," Dr. Zaliha said in Parliament last year.

So, what steps will be taken to combat this deadly and silent virus?

Dr. Zambry revealed that the Ministry of Higher Education will formulate and implement plans to promote a healthy lifestyle, with particular emphasis on advocacy, awareness, and prevention of AIDS.