ONE AIDS DEATH RECORDED DAILY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- An average of one Aids death and three
HIV infections are recorded daily in the country, the Lower House of Parliament
was told Thursday.

Deputy Health Minister Dr Abd Latif Ahmad said the figure was based on the
number of HIV infections, totalling 80,000 cases a year.

He said there was a decline in the number of HIV cases -- from 27 per cent
for every 100,000 people in 2003 to 17 per cent for the same number of
population in 2008.

"Efforts to contain the disease is ongoing through various programmes under
the national strategic plan against Aids (2006-2010) which covers prevention,
control, treatment and care as well as support for those infected with HIV," he
said.

Dr Abd Latif said the government allocated RM500 million to implement
programmes during the five-year period.

He was replying to Member of Parliament Kamarul Baharin Abbas on measures
taken by the government to contain the disease.
-- BERNAMA