Summary
- Health groups urge wider adoption of harm reduction strategies.
- Malaysia’s HIV infections have fallen by more than half.
- Prevention credited with lowering HIV treatment costs.
- Experts say approach can also address chronic diseases.
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Health advocacy groups have urged Malaysia to expand harm reduction measures.
Saying the country’s success in reducing HIV infections shows that early intervention saves lives and lowers healthcare costs.
The groups said Malaysia’s HIV programme has reduced new infections by more than half while improving access to treatment.
They added that similar evidence-based strategies could help address smoking, alcohol-related harm and non-communicable diseases, while easing pressure on the healthcare system.
