Malaysia: Prostar programme for college students

KUALA ROMPIN, Sun. — The Health Ministry will expand the Prostar programme to cover students in institutions of higher learning and colleges, its minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng said yesterday.

He said since the programme to encourage healthy lifestyle without AIDS was launched in 1996, it had benefited more than 480,000 youths all over the country.

"I hope the programme can be expanded to include Prostar clubs in institutions of higher learning and colleges nationwide," he told reporters after officiating the closing of the Pahang Prostar convention here.

Chua said the programme could prevent undergraduates from being involved in unhealthy activities that could lead to HIV and AIDS.

He said of the 40,049 HIV cases so far, 81% involved youths between the age of 20 and 39.

— Bernama