Inter-lInkages between PoPulatIon DynamIcs anD DeveloPment In ...

• Primary emphasis on the active participation and involvement ofboth men and women in the development process at every stage;• Consideration of the full potential of the nation’s human resource,half of which comprises women;• The standard of education and knowledge of women be enhancedin accordance with their emergent roles and involvement in adynamic and modern world and society; and• All forms of adverse discrimination on the basis of gender beeliminated in all matters of decision-making and subsequent action.In addition, the Policy also describes actions to be taken by variouskey sectors, for example, health, education and training, legislation,employment, politics, media, religion and culture.This Policy is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Women, Familyand Community Development for incorporation of new challenges faced by women.The policy is to provide someguidelines and directions to allendeavours in the planning andimplementation of thedevelopment programmes ofthe nation, so as not tooverlook or neglect the interestsand participation of women,both as targets of developmentas well as agents in thedevelopment process.National Policy on Women 1989Ministry of Health Malaysia Strategic Plan 2006-2010The Strategic Plan for the Ministry of Health (MOH) 2006-2010 is a summary of the Country Health Plan:Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010) documents. It is in line with Vision 2020 and “promotes the individual’sresponsibility and community participation towards an enhanced quality of life.”The issues and challenges that would be addressed in this 5-year Strategic Plan are: (i) the changing patternsof communicable and non-communicable diseases, including mental health; (ii) providing universal coverageof health care services at affordable costs; (iii) providing quality services and optimization of health resources,in terms of human, financial, infrastructure and technology, in the public and private sectors; and (iv) providingservices to the marginalised population, for example, the underprivileged, elderly and those living in hard toreach areas.The strategic goals are:1. Prevent and reduce the burden of disease;2. Enhance the health care delivery system;3. Optimise resources;4. Improve research and development;5. Manage crisis and disaster effectively; and6. Strengthen the health information management system.This plan will not only serve as aguide within the MOH, but alsoprovide a framework for otherstakeholders to work togethertowards improving our healthcare system.Dato’ Sri Hj. Mohd Nasir B. Mohd AshrafDespite Malaysia having a low level of MMR, the MOH is continuouslytaking measures to sustain or reduce it even further. One of thestrategies in Goal 2 was to strengthen existing health services for the prevention of mortality and morbidity,promoting and maintenance of health of various sub-groups in the population, including pregnant mothersand newborn.National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS 2006-2010The National Strategic Plan (NSP) on HIV/AIDS 2006-2010 superseded the HIV/AIDS NSP 1998. This NSP,which is in line with the Ninth Malaysia Plan, provided the framework for response to HIV/AIDS and basis forcoordinating the work of all partners in achieving the United Nations General Assembly Special Session(UNGASS) targets and the MDG 6.The goals of the NSP include: (i) prevent transmission of HIV; (ii) reduce morbidity and mortality related toHIV/AIDS; and (iii) minimise the impact of HIV/AIDS on the individual, family, community and nation.In Malaysia, HIV/AIDS is a concentrated epidemic, especially among injecting drug users (IDUs). Nonetheless,the Government of Malaysia is concerned about the feminisation of HIV/AIDS and the rate of transmission among17