Melaka: Three more health clinics in Melaka have been appointed as STI Friendly Clinics offering screening services and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS. State Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem announced that the Ayer Keroh, Masjid Tanah, and Merlimau health clinics have been designated to provide these crucial services.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the state previously had only one STI Friendly Clinic, located at the Jalan Gereja Health Clinic. The expansion to additional clinics aims to facilitate early diagnosis of HIV/AIDS infections and ensure timely commencement of anti-retroviral therapy treatment. Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem mentioned that while the STI Friendly Clinic initiative is now available in four clinics, there are plans to add one more clinic. However, the immediate priority is to enhance the services offered at the existing clinics.

The announcement was made during the launch of the state-level World AIDS Day in conjunction with the Bukit Katil state assembly 'Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat' (WRUR) programme, attended by state Health director Dr Ruzita Mustaffa. Ngwe emphasized that the STI Friendly Clinic initiative is part of the Ministry of Health's efforts, through the state Health Department, to achieve zero new HIV cases under the 'Melaka Getting to Zero HIV' initiative.

Meanwhile, Dr Ruzita disclosed that 97 new HIV cases were recorded in Melaka between January 1 and November 30 this year, with 35 percent of these cases categorized as AIDS, likely due to delays in seeking screening or treatment. Last year, the state recorded 118 new HIV cases. Dr Ruzita stressed the importance of raising public awareness about HIV/AIDS, noting that half of the new infections this year were among individuals aged 13 to 29, with 60 percent of cases resulting from homosexual relationships.