KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry (MoH) will carry out a pilot project regarding the use of the PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) drugs in several hospitals to assess its effectiveness and safety in reducing the risk of HIV infection, says Dr Zaliha Mustafa (pic).
The Health Minister said the pilot project was necessary before the drug is certified by the ministry for public consumption.
"Its use has been studied. We have discussed with religious experts to understand from a legal point of view and so on and if we look at its use, it is not only for the LGBT group (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) but there are several other groups that will use it for better results so that we can prevent the spread of HIV,” she said.
Dr Zaliha told reporters this after the launch ceremony of the Serdang Hospital Heart Centre operations here Monday (Dec 12).
The use of PrEP medication is said to be able to reduce the risk of contracting HIV through sex by about 90% when taken according to the prescription.
On the issue of the alleged misappropriation of the Covid-19 management fund, estimated at RM530bil, Dr Zaliha said discussions on the matter will be held at the ministry level soon.
On Friday (Dec 9), the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said preliminary investigations showed that alleged irregularities in the management of Covid-19 funds involved allocations estimated at RM530bil.
Of the amount, RM92.5bil involved government funds whereas RM437.5bil was not from the government, the MACC said. - Bernama
