November 17, 2008
Staronline
By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH
JOHOR BARU: At least three drug addicts die each month due to complications arising from AIDS at drug rehabilitation centres around the country.
National Anti-Drug Agency Deputy Director-General of Operation Prof Dr Mahmood Nazar Mohamed said the inmates had contracted the disease even before joining the centres.
He said there were now 656 drug addicts who were HIV positive in 28 rehabilitation centres in the country. The total inmate population nationwide is 6,592.
Dr Mahmood said at present each centre had a special section to house inmates with HIV.
“We do not discriminate against patients with HIV but other inmates will know as they are kept in a separate place,” he said, adding that each inmate would have to go for a medical checkup before being admitted to the centre.
“We also have several programme including inviting rehabilitated detainees who have AIDS to come and talk to our inmates,” he said.
“We tell our inmates that having AIDS is not a immediate death sentence.
“This is because if they follow the programme including taking their medication, going for regular exercises and abstaining from taking drugs, they could live for 17 more years,” he added.
He was speaking to reporters after launching a AIDS awareness programme titled “One Life Revolution (OLR)” here.
The four-day programme included a donation drive and exhibition.
The Malaysian AIDS Council executive director Bakhtiar Talhah in his speech said that Johor had the highest number of new HIV cases.
Last year there were 13,856 new HIV cases involving 1,186 deaths in Johor alone, he said, adding that AIDS sufferers needed the love and support from their families to help them cope with the disease.
Staronline
By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH
JOHOR BARU: At least three drug addicts die each month due to complications arising from AIDS at drug rehabilitation centres around the country.
National Anti-Drug Agency Deputy Director-General of Operation Prof Dr Mahmood Nazar Mohamed said the inmates had contracted the disease even before joining the centres.
He said there were now 656 drug addicts who were HIV positive in 28 rehabilitation centres in the country. The total inmate population nationwide is 6,592.
Dr Mahmood said at present each centre had a special section to house inmates with HIV.
“We do not discriminate against patients with HIV but other inmates will know as they are kept in a separate place,” he said, adding that each inmate would have to go for a medical checkup before being admitted to the centre.
“We also have several programme including inviting rehabilitated detainees who have AIDS to come and talk to our inmates,” he said.
“We tell our inmates that having AIDS is not a immediate death sentence.
“This is because if they follow the programme including taking their medication, going for regular exercises and abstaining from taking drugs, they could live for 17 more years,” he added.
He was speaking to reporters after launching a AIDS awareness programme titled “One Life Revolution (OLR)” here.
The four-day programme included a donation drive and exhibition.
The Malaysian AIDS Council executive director Bakhtiar Talhah in his speech said that Johor had the highest number of new HIV cases.
Last year there were 13,856 new HIV cases involving 1,186 deaths in Johor alone, he said, adding that AIDS sufferers needed the love and support from their families to help them cope with the disease.
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