In a statement to commemorate World AIDS Day which falls on Dec 1, the council described the stigma and discrimination faced as a “major barrier” to facility-based HIV testing.

This includes testing for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women sex workers or TGSW.

“Because of the significant barriers to facility-based testing in the country, self-testing provides an ideal alternative for key populations,” it said.

The council said that a pilot study on HIV self-testing (HIVST) was launched in September last year.

The study, it said, involved an integrated HIVST service delivery through a website to help the vulnerable self-test at their own comfort and to be linked to the necessary care.

MAC president Dr Christopher Lee said the Covid-19 pandemic has presented a new challenge for those involved in HIV response.

This included limited and restricted mobility and the duration of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment which takes “a long time”.

“It has had a direct impact on the community’s efforts to deliver the best services to the key population.”

MAC also called on the government to set up a ‘Multisectoral Task Force’ to reduce HIV infection through sexual transmission at a national level, similar to the Harm Reduction Programme in 2005 that reduced the HIV infection among drug users.

Putrajaya should also introduce a “same day treatment” initiative in health facilities as part of continued efforts to increase ARV treatment.

“As of 2020 we have only reached 58% of people living with HIV treated with ARVs according to the health ministry’s HIV Testing and Treatment Cascade.”