KUALA LUMPUR, November 2 – Experts from Malaysia’s health, economic, and religious sectors gathered at a roundtable discussion to advocate for the broader implementation of harm reduction strategies. The event, organized by the Harm Reduction Action Network (HaRAN) in collaboration with Humanize Malaysia and DM Analytics, focused on addressing major public health concerns such as HIV/AIDS, tobacco use, and unhealthy diets to alleviate economic and healthcare pressures.
Deputy Health Minister Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni highlighted the success of programs like the Needle and Syringe Exchange Program (NSEP) and Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) in curbing HIV transmission. He emphasized that harm reduction must be a key component of Malaysia’s healthcare reform, urging for its expansion to address non-communicable diseases, reduce healthcare costs, and align with Islamic values of preserving life.
