People Living With HIV Still Face Discrimination In Malaysian Hospitals, Says MAC
By Alifah Zainuddin | 8 April 2025
Assoc Prof Dr Raja Iskandar Shah Raja Azwa, infectious disease consultant at UMMC and President of the Malaysian AIDS Council, speaks to CodeBlue in an interview at Common Ground Jaya One on March 20, 2023. Photo by Saw Siow Feng for CodeBlue..
KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — Discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV) in both public and private hospitals remains an issue in Malaysia, says the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC).
Many cases of discrimination go unreported due to fear of stigma, lack of awareness about patient rights, and reluctance to file formal complaints.
MAC president Assoc Prof Dr Raja Iskandar Shah Raja Azwa said some health care workers continue to hold outdated fears about HIV transmission, leading to inappropriate practices such as double gloving, unnecessary additional precautions, refusal to perform medical procedures, delayed treatment, and breaches of confidentiality.
“Discriminatory practices, such as refusing treatment, making unnecessary referrals, or avoiding physical contact, violate medical ethics and professional conduct guidelines,” Dr Raja Iskandar told CodeBlue in an email response. “Every patient deserves access to dignified, non-judgmental health care.”
He noted that many PLHIV hesitate to seek treatment due to persistent misconceptions about HIV transmission. Health care professionals, he said, should educate patients on the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) principle, which means a person with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV. Patients should also be informed about available support services and resources.
Dr Raja Iskandar emphasised that following standard infection control procedures is sufficient in all medical settings. “All patients should be treated using standard universal precautions where there are risks of exposure to blood or bodily fluids, rather than applying unnecessary additional precautions specifically for PLHIV,” he said.
This approach, he added, ensures safety for both patients and health care workers while preventing unwarranted stigma in clinical settings.
Doctor Refusing To Treat Newborn After Father’s HIV Disclosure Raises Concern
Last February, CodeBlue reported that a paediatrician at a private hospital in Muar, Johor, allegedly refused to treat a newborn in August 2023 after the father disclosed his HIV status, despite being long-term undetectable.
The patient lodged a formal complaint with KPJ Bandar Maharani Muar, which later issued an apology to him and his family. However, the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) dismissed his complaint against the doctor.
Following this, MAC engaged with KPJ Bandar Maharani Muar and KPJ Healthcare Berhad in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the matter.
“During discussions, it was suggested that the paediatric doctor involved in the incident attend an HIV 101 sensitisation workshop to improve his understanding of HIV-related care and patient rights,” Dr Raja Iskandar said.
MAC said efforts to improve HIV-related policies and training for health care workers are ongoing, though engagement with private hospitals has not yet been formalised.
“We recognise the vital role that private health care providers play in delivering inclusive, stigma-free services. Moving forward, we are keen to establish collaborative efforts with private hospitals to support and strengthen HIV-related training and policy implementation within their institutions,” Dr Raja Iskandar said.
Push For Better Policies And Training Continues
The Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF), through the Towards Ending HIV & AIDS by Malaysian Businesses (TEAMB) initiative, has been working with the corporate sector to train employers on managing PLHIV in the workplace, promoting inclusivity and non-discriminatory practices.
MAC and MAF also plan to introduce HIV Connect, an initiative aimed at upskilling health care professionals in HIV-related care.
In the public sector, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has developed the HOPE Module, a training programme designed to reduce stigma and discrimination against PLHIV and key populations.
The module, implemented in selected health care facilities, includes awareness sessions, interactive activities, and case studies to help health care workers recognise and eliminate biases in patient treatment.
The MMC has also issued guidelines on blood-borne viral infections, emphasising the importance of non-discriminatory medical care for PLHIV.
These guidelines serve as a reference for both public and private health care facilities to ensure ethical and professional standards are upheld.
Despite these initiatives, Dr Raja Iskandar highlighted the need for stricter enforcement, structured training programmes, and regular monitoring to ensure compliance across all health care institutions.
Know Your Rights: What Patients Can Do
Dr Raja Iskandar said that if you experience discrimination in a hospital, remember that you have the right to fair and equal medical treatment. Health care providers are bound by medical ethics and confidentiality laws, and discrimination should not be tolerated.
“Stay calm and assertive, and if a health care provider refuses treatment or acts unfairly, ask for clarification. In some cases, discrimination may stem from misconceptions about HIV, and addressing this professionally can help,” he said.
If the issue persists, document your experience, including dates, locations, and the names of those involved. You can file a complaint through the appropriate channels:
- MAC Care (Malaysian AIDS Council): For stigma and discrimination cases and advocacy.
- SisPAA (MOH’s Public Complaints System): For cases occurring in government health care facilities.
- Malaysian Medical Council (MMC): For complaints against individual medical practitioners, regardless of whether they practice in the public or private sector.
“Seek support from advocacy groups such as the Malaysian AIDS Council, which can provide legal advice, guidance, and emotional support,” Dr Raja Iskandar said.
“Most importantly, do not let discrimination prevent you from seeking medical care. If necessary, find another health care facility that provides HIV-inclusive services. Taking action helps ensure better treatment for yourself and others in the future.”
Contact:
Su-Lyn Boo
Editor-in-Chief
CodeBlue
sulyn@galencentre.org
Source: CodeBlue
https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2025/04/people-living-with-hiv-still-face-discrimination-in-malaysian-hospitals-says-mac/
"Reproduced with permission - CodeBlue"
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