MIRI: The number of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), HIV and AIDS cases in Sarawak sees alarming increase, said Women, Family and Childhood Development Assistant Minister Rosey Yunus.
According to statistics from the state Health Department, she said STI’s related cases such as gonorrhea increased from 645 cases in 2016 to 989 cases last year, while syphilis diagnosed also increased to 429 cases last year from 231 cases in 2016.
“For HIV cases, 390 cases are recorded last year compared to 275 in 2016, and for AIDS cases, 167 cases are recorded in 2017 compared to 137 cases in 2016,” said Rosey at the closing ceremony of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Dialogue at Miri Pustaka yesterday.
According to her, Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Ministry had actively implementing the Sexual Education Advocacy Programme (KAPS) in several secondary schools throughout the state emphasising awareness on STI disease.
“This year, KAPS will be held at three selected schools in Miri namely Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bekenu, SMK Tinjar and SMK Merbau,” she added.
On the STI Dialogue, some 300 guests from various government agencies and schools were present at the one day programme.
“I hope this event is able to provide awareness, useful information and input to all of us so that we can work together to address and prevent issues related to STI in our society,” stressed Rosey.
Also present were Miri Deputy Resident Nyurak Keti, Miri Assistant District Officer Sharifah Rafidah Wan Razali, Dr Noor Izni Mohamed Shapie of Miri Health Department and Fadzila Hanim Abdul Razak of the state Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
