KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — The Ministry of Health has defended its video competition on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, saying that its goal was to empower teens to make “wise decisions” and not to discriminate against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
In a statement, MOH refuted concerns that aspects of the competition, particularly on the topic on gender dysphoria would encourage discrimination, hatred and violence towards minorities like the LGBT community.
“This creative video competition is purely to tap knowledge and creativity of adolescent to adolescent on sexual and reproductive health related matters and does not intend to create discrimination to any particular group.
“It targets all adolescents 13 to 24 years and is divided into 3 scopes to facilitate assessment by the jury based on health aspect,” deputy director-general of health (public health) Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said in a statement.
“With regards to the LGBT, MOH embraces the principle of health for all without discrimination in providing health services. We have specific guideline for all health workers to treat every client equally and with due respect to an individual’s right.
“In fact, MOH has gone the extra mile by providing services based on their specific health needs and collaborate closely with other agencies and NGOs. Currently, there are 23 STI-friendly clinics nationwide providing services for specific high risk groups and attendances are increasing daily,” he added, saying that MOH is currently in the process of expanding HIV screening services for the community and has provided funding to NGOs for HIV-related activities.
Dr Lokman said the latest Population and Family Survey by LPPKN showed an increase in sexual activity among adolescents from 0.9 per cent (1994) to 2.2 per cent (2004) and 4.8 per cent (2014).
“Unsafe sex results in sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. National HIV Surveillance showed the notification rate of HIV among adolescent 13-19 years is on an increasing trend from 1.97 per 100,000 adolescents (2013) to 2.25 per 100,000 adolescent (2015). The surveillance also revealed a significant rise in the percentage of HIV infection among the homosexuals in Malaysia from 0.8 per cent (2010) to 46.0 per cent (2016). “
He said that similar findings were noted in the Integrated Bio-Behavioural Surveillance’ (IBBS) between 2012 to 2014 where the rate of infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), transgenders and female prostitutes have increased from 7.1 per cent (2012) to 8.9 per cent (2014) among MSM, from 4.8 per cent (2012) to 5.6 per cent (2014) among transgenders and from 4.6 per cent (2012) to 7.3 per cent (2014) among female prostitutes.
“Scientific evidence from local and abroad shows close association between the risk of HIV with unhealthy SRH practices, which can be intervened through preventive activities and promoting healthy lifestyle,” he added.
In the website for the video competition, MOH described gender identity disorder, also known as gender dysphoria, and cited examples of people who are gay, lesbian, transsexual and tomboys.
The contest guidelines added that the videos must include elements showing the “consequences” of being LGBT, as well as how to “prevent, control and seek help” for them.
