Ending AIDS Begins Now

 New campaign promoting the Ending AIDS by 2030 goals urge greater public engagement through month-long activities at the Red Ribbon Popup Store.

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 May 2016 – Renewed optimism and urgency underscored the latest HIV & AIDS public awareness campaign jointly organised by the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) and Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Malaysia.

 

“Ending AIDS Begins Now is a timely reminder of the robust progress of the AIDS response over the past decade – characterised by a 40 per cent reduction in new HIV infections and wide expansion of harm reduction and HIV prevention services – which provides a strong foundation for ending one of the most challenging public health crises the world has ever seen,” said Datuk Dr. Raj Karim, President of the MAC and a Trustee of the MAF at the launch of the campaign.

 

“Bearing this in mind, it is also an urgent call for fast-tracking our concerted effort as well as collective resilience and resources that must be achieved through meaningful public engagement and multi-sectoral partnerships.”

 

Ending AIDS Begins Now builds upon the aspirations and goals of the new chapter in the global AIDS response, Ending AIDS by 2030. These goals are outlined in the National Strategic Plan for Ending AIDS 2016-2030, the blueprint that charts the course of the national AIDS response towards a 90 per cent reduction of new HIV infections in the next 15 years.

 

Launched by Dato’ Seri Dr. Hilmi Bin Haji Yahaya, Deputy Minister of Health, the campaign coincided with the opening of the MAC and MAF Red Ribbon Popup Store in partnership with Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

 

Between 3 May and 6 June 2016, the Red Ribbon Popup Store serves as an interactive space for HIV & AIDS knowledge sharing and a host of exciting fundraising activities including special appearances by MAC and MAF Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporters. Over the same period, visitors to Pavilion Kuala Lumpur will also be greeted by a giant red ribbon installation placed near the main entrance of the building, as a symbol of awareness and concern for people living with HIV.

 

 

Standard Chartered Scope International, another partner of the campaign, will be mobilising its 1,000-strong volunteers throughout the campaign period in addition to supporting the setting up of the popup store.

 

The campaign also received support from L’Oreal Professionnel Malaysia, Yayasan Sime Darby, Serai Group Sdn. Bhd., Flora Luxe Decor and Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.

 

“Smart partnerships remain the crux of our AIDS response, and we are most grateful for all the partnerships that we have forged over the years as well as new ones on this campaign,” Dr. Raj further noted.

 

 

Fast-tracking the Ending AIDS Begins Now campaign, a donation worth RM 100,000 from Kingsmen, a league of concerned corporate figures and entrepreneurs led by Red Ribbon Business Icon Datuk Kelvin Tan, was handed to MAF in support of its high-impact HIV treatment, care and support programmes.

 

Ending AIDS Begins Now also marks another important milestone in the national AIDS response – 30 years since the first HIV & AIDS case was detected in Malaysia.

As of 2015, a cumulative total of 108,519 HIV infections and 17,916 AIDS related deaths have been reported. While new infections dropped slightly in 2015, sexual transmission of HIV continued its rising trend, accounting for 78 per cent or 2,601 of the 3,330 newly reported cases.

 

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Malaysian AIDS Council

 

The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) was established in 1992 to serve as an umbrella organisation to support and coordinate the efforts of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working on HIV & AIDS issues in Malaysia. MAC works in close partnership with government agencies, the private sector and international organisations, to ensure a committed and effective NGO-led response to the HIV epidemic.  In addition to providing nationwide coverage of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services, MAC and its Partner Organisations serve as the common voice for communities most affected by HIV & AIDS in the country. Visit www.mac.org.my to learn more.

 

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 maf.org.my.

 

Contact

 

Malaysian AIDS Council and Malaysian AIDS Foundation

Zaki Arzmi | +6016.292.2948 | zaki@mac.org.my

Meera Abi | +6016.414.6400 | meera@mac.org.my