Adeeba pointed out that those living with HIV now have a lifespan and level of productivity similar to a normal person.

Nonetheless, she said, stigma and discrimination continue to impact their livelihood, creating unnecessary barriers to treatment, prevention and care services.

“In some workplaces, AIDS-related discrimination is close to being institutionalised by rejection and unreasonable demands from employers for HIV status disclosures even when the situation is unwarranted.

“We are also hitting a wall when it comes to insurance protection for people living with HIV,” the infectious diseases expert said in a statement in conjunction with World AIDS Day, which is tomorrow.

Adeeba said the rate of HIV infections in Malaysia had plateaued, especially having been “sidetracked” amid the pandemic, when it was supposed to be in decline.

“We still record sizable AIDS-related deaths every year, a grim reminder that treatment did not reach those who needed them the most soon enough.”

She said it was regrettable that the nation’s setbacks in ending AIDS were perpetuated by inequalities, when all that was required was “willpower” to end the epidemic.

“We must be determined to reform laws, policies and practices to tackle the stigma and exclusion faced by people living with HIV and the marginalised population so that everyone is shown respect and is welcomed without prejudice,” she said.

She said these included men who have sex with men, transgenders, drug users, sex workers and their partners.

“In this time of crisis, we must remove all forms of intimidation and barriers that prevent access to critical HIV prevention services such as condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis,” she said.