The idea to set up the facility was conceived in response to the barriers faced by people in the rural areas and deep interiors of Sarawak in accessing free HIV healthcare services provided by the government and non-government organisations. Located in Kuching, the community healthcare centre will act as a halfway home that is seamlessly linked to the Sarawak General Hospital in addition to offering a continuum of HIV and AIDS related care such as community-based HIV testing, counselling, treatment literacy, and legal and welfare service referrals. It will be run by the Sarawak AIDS Concern Society, a Partner Organisation of the Malaysian AIDS Council.

Sarawak began recording HIV incidences in 1989, three years after the first case in Malaysia was notified. As of December 2015, it has accumulated a total of 2,178 HIV infections, 480 of which resulted in AIDS related deaths.

The current HIV notification rate in Sarawak stands at 8.7 per 100,000 persons, lower than the national average of 10.9 per 100,000 persons. However, new HIV infections in the state have been on the rise in the past five years, with as many as 230 new cases recorded in 2015 compared to 169 in 2011.

“What the figures fail to capture is the harsh reality of battling the negative social impact of HIV and AIDS,” commented Professor Dato Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Chairman of the MAF.

“Stigma continues to fuel the AIDS epidemic, the burden of which is most felt by women and children, pushing them to the margins of society and away from lifesaving HIV and AIDS health services. The situation in Sarawak is further compounded by the diversity of its geographical features that impede access to these otherwise readily available services.”

“Our mission is to ensure that no one is left behind. The One-Stop Healthcare Centre is only the beginning of our commitment toward closing the gap and strengthening the state-led AIDS response. Given that the number of infections in the state is relatively small, there is a real opportunity to end AIDS right here in Sarawak, ahead of all the other states in Malaysia,” she remarked further.

The Malaysian AIDS Foundation Kuching Gala is poised to be MAF’s social event of the year, attracting over 1,000 guests led by YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, Chief Minister of Sarawak. Others in attendance include Ministers and government officials, Sarawak’s high society, top corporate and business leaders, celebrities and the media.

Headlined by MAF’s own Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporters Aaron Aziz, Bob Yusof, Dayang Nurfaizah, Dee (of Jangan Ketawa fame), Fahrin Ahmad and Ziana Zain, the star-studded event will feature special performances, auctions, and an exquisite fine dining experience courtesy of main sponsor Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.

“We are proud to partner with the MAF on this charitable endeavour of such a grand scale and be part of the solution to the AIDS epidemic in Sarawak,” noted Datuk Hajjah Raziah @ Rodiah binti Mahmud-Geneid, Chairman of Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.

“As a business that strives to create meaningful connections, we hope our contribution will be the impetus that brings people and communities closer together towards achieving the common goal of a Sarawak society free from the negative impact of HIV and AIDS.”

The Malaysian AIDS Foundation Kuching Gala is jointly organised by the Sarawak State Government in partnership with the Sarawak AIDS Concern Society; and supported by main sponsor Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, official hotel Hilton Kuching, official radio Cats FM, official airline Malindo Air, official jeweller Mouawad, digital advertising partner Outled, and event management partner Lumiere Creativo.

Tables priced at RM 25,000 (Diamond), RM 15,000 (Platinum), RM 10,000 (Gold), RM 5,000 (Silver) and RM 2,500 (Bronze) are now available for purchase. To make your reservation and/or enquire further, contact the MAF via Arif at 012-9594596 or Hafsah at 019-4413577. All purchases are entitled to tax exemption receipt from the MAF.

Fans of the Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporters should not miss the opportunity to catch their favourite stars in action at the Kuching Gala. Concert-only tickets priced at RM 60 are also being sold through Ticketpro Malaysia at www.ticketpro.com.my or hotline 03-78807999.

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Malaysian AIDS Foundation

The Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) was formed in 1993 to raise and administer funds to support the activities and programmes of the Malaysian AIDS Council and its Partner Organisations. MAF funds high-impact HIV prevention, treatment, care and support programmes such as harm reduction, shelter homes, financial and medical assistance schemes as well as HIV health literacy and empowerment activities for underprivileged women and children living with HIV and other key populations nationwide. Learn more at http://maf.org.my/V2/.

Borneo Convention Centre Kuching

Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) is the first international purpose-built convention centre in Sarawak, Malaysia. Growing alongside Sarawak’s position as a captivating ecotourism destination on the mystical island of Borneo, BCCK serves the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry at local, national, regional and international levels.

Contact

Malaysian AIDS Foundation

Zaki Arzmi | 016-2922948 | zaki@mac.org.my