No more discrimination of those with HIV/AIDS in employment: MAC

Picture for representational purpose only. — AFP

The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) is currently working with the Ministry of Human Resources on a policy to ensure that people with HIV/AIDS including those receiving treatment are not discriminated when it comes to employment.

MAC president Bakhtiar Talhah said this is important because most of those affected were from the 18 to 40 age group and they needed a job like others in their age group.

"So, as long as they getting proper treatment for HIV/AIDS which is also free in Malaysia, they are healthy enough to be hired, " he said at a press conference for the Malaysian AIDS Foundation's Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award here, today.

"We are now focussing on the policy at the work place. Actually, we already have a guideline at work place for people with HIV and now we are trying to turn it into law, the earliest by next year".

He said the epidemic scene in Malaysia had improved with the 2017 HIV notification rate dropping by 60% with the highest ratio of 28.4 in every 100,000 persons seen in 2002 coming down to 10.3 last year.

Meanwhile, Bakhtiar also said the coveted Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award is returning after a six year hiatus and will be held on 16 Dec at a hotel here. — Bernama

Source : The Sun