MAF In Sarawak
MAF has been supporting Sarawak’s HIV Treatment, Prevention, Care, and Education programme for over a decade, with a focus on assisting individuals living below the poverty line. Currently, our efforts benefit more than 2,000 direct beneficiaries.
TERATAK KASIH TOK NAN
In Kuching, Sarawak, our One-Stop Centre for PLHIV – otherwise known as Teratak Kasih Tok Nan, is providing a wide range of services – from treatment referral to transportation assistance and from halfway home to empowerment programme for single mothers living with HIV.
Currently, our efforts are focused on the Kuching and Samarahan Division due to the vast geographical area of Sarawak. However, we recognize the urgent need to expand our services to the northern region, including Miri and Limbang in 2023, where the number of HIV cases is already a significant concern.
SARAWAK HEALTH ACCESS PROGRAMME
As an extension of our comprehensive HIV services, the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) is proud to administer the Travel Subsidy Programme, a vital initiative designed to alleviate the financial burden of transportation for individuals requiring consistent access to healthcare services.
Known as the Sarawak Health Access Programme (SHAPE), this initiative is a lifeline for over 250 hardcore poor individuals annually across the Kuching, Samarahan, and Miri divisions. SHAPE addresses a critical gap for patients residing in remote or underserved areas by subsidizing transportation costs, thus enabling consistent access to medical appointments, follow-up treatments, and essential care.
MAF has been supporting Sarawak’s HIV Treatment, Prevention, Care, and Education programme for over a decade, with a focus on assisting individuals living below the poverty line. Currently, our efforts benefit more than 2,000 direct beneficiaries.
Responsibility to Act
Teratak Kasih Tok Nan stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, inspired by her deep personal connection to the challenges faced by the underserved HIV community in Sarawak. This center is a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Allahyarham Pehin Sri Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Haji Adenan bin Haji Satem, a compassionate leader who held a special place in the hearts of the people of Sarawak.
HIV & AIDS IN SARAWAK
As many as 2,720 people has tested positive for HIV in Sarawak since 2015.
This is a breakdown showing the percentage distribution of the cumulative cases of HIV infection in Sarawak. Within the same period, 1,093 cases, or nearly 40 % of People Living with HIV were diagnosed with AIDS in Sarawak.
MAF plans to expand its services to Bintulu and Sibu, which have the third and fourth-highest HIV cases in Sarawak, after Kuching and Miri. We will launch the Tripartite HIV Intervention Programme (THIP) in Bintulu, offering HIV prevention, testing, and treatment through the Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations (DHSKP) Programme.
In addition, we will expand the SHAPE programme to provide medical travel subsidies for chronic disease patients seeking treatment at hospitals or government healthcare facilities in the region.
Treatment & Prevention
Driving AIDS response efforts
Importance of HIV Treatment and Prevention
HIV treatment and prevention are essential to improving public health, reducing transmission, and achieving global HIV/AIDS targets.
Early access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) enhances the quality of life for people living with HIV (PLHIV), prevents progression to AIDS, and reduces opportunistic infections. Suppressing viral loads through treatment and implementing prevention strategies like PrEP and condom use effectively break the chain of transmission.
These efforts also protect high-risk populations, reduce AIDS-related deaths, and alleviate healthcare costs. Furthermore, comprehensive programs foster community resilience by addressing stigma and promoting inclusivity. Investing in these initiatives is critical to ending the HIV epidemic and supporting sustainable development goals.
Meeting The Goals
Challenges Of
Accessing
ARV In Sarawak
LACK OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
In places like Sabah and Sarawak, healthcare facilities with HIV treatment are not immediately accessible or are remotely located. This can make it difficult for people to access ARV, especially those who live in rural or remote areas.
OUR SOLUTION
Our Sabah & Sarawak Health Access Programme (SHAPE) provides hospital travel subsidies for HIV patients from the rural interiors as well as the urban poor in both States. The subsidies contribute positively towards compliance and treatment retention for our clients.
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINT
Certain types of ARV can be expensive and not everyone living with HIV can afford to pay for it. Our MOH has implemented ARV programmes, but in some cases, coverage is limited to first-line and in some cases, not everyone is eligible to receive it.
OUR SOLUTION
The Medicine Assistance Scheme by MAF provides subsidy for 2nd-line ARV to underprivileged Malaysians. The Scheme currently supports more than 500 People Living with HIV.
STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION
HIV/AIDS stigma is still commonplace which makes it difficult for people to seek treatment. Discrimination can also make it difficult for people to access healthcare services, including ARV.
OUR SOLUTION
We continue to build constructive engagement with healthcare workers through training and sensitisation programme. In addition, MAF has also embarked on specialised HIV training with general practitioners from private practices to open up alternative points of care for PLHIV outside the government primary care service providers.
TESTIMONIAL: THE TREE OF LIFE
A Story Of Strength, Resilience & Hope
Kuching gala 2025
The 2025 Malaysian AIDS Foundation Kuching Gala is a prestigious fundraising event dedicated to supporting the expansion of the Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations (DHSKP) and the Sarawak Health Access Programme to Bintulu and Sibu in Sarawak. This elegant black-tie affair will be held in the most exclusive and distinguished venue in town, Hilton Kuching Hotel.
The Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) plans to extend an invitation to the Honourable Premier of Sarawak, YAB Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Haji Openg, to officiate this prestigious event.
GUEST OF HONOR
SARAWAK PREMIER
YAB Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Haji Openg
DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH
YB Dato’ Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni
GALA HOSTS
MAF BORNEO PATRON
YBhg Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Hajah Jamilah Haji Anu
MAF CHAIRMAN
YBhg Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman
YAB Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Haji Openg
Premier of Sarawak
With support from the Sarawak State Government and collaboration with the Sarawak State Health Department, the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the Sarawak Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, and other agencies, the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) has established Sarawak’s first one-stop support center for People Living with HIV (PLHIV).
This collaboration highlights a shared commitment to tackling HIV/AIDS in Sarawak and ensuring that PLHIV receive the care and support they need to lead healthier lives.
The Venue
Hilton Kuching is widely recognised as the beacon of Sarawak hospitality. Since opening its doors in 1988, the hotel has built a solid reputation for its dedication to quality and excellence in services and remains as the place to be seen that lies at the heart of social scene in Sarawak.
Hilton Kuching is also throwing its support behind the Malaysian AIDS Foundation’s most important charitable project in the state, the Teratak Kasih Tok Nan, the first Sarawak One-Stop Centre for People Living with HIV
FINE DINING EXPERIENCE
The evening will start with a pre-dinner cocktail reception, featuring a selection of delicious canapés and free-flowing drinks to excite the taste buds and set the tone for the meal ahead.
The main event will be a carefully crafted four-course dinner, prepared by the Executive Chef of Hilton Kuching Hotel. This exceptional menu will highlight the finest ingredients, skillfully combined to offer a memorable culinary experience for all guests.
Entertainment
Dayang Nurfaizah & Bob Yusof
Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporters
The eagerly awaited Gala event will showcase an unforgettable performance by the renowned ballad artist, Bob Yusof, hailing from Limbang, who will join forces with Sarawak’s beloved multi-award-winning sensation, Dayang Nurfaizah. Together, they will create a mesmerizing musical experience. The duo’s dynamic performance will feature a thrilling mix of both timeless classics and fresh new hits, guaranteed to captivate and enchant audiences of all ages.
Both Dayang and Bob are founding members of the MAF’s Red Ribbon Celebrity Supporters, having dedicated over a decade of their time and effort to volunteering with the organization.
Their unwavering commitment has played a pivotal role in raising awareness about HIV and AIDS, reaching out to the public and making a lasting impact in the fight against the disease.
Media Opportunities
MAF anticipates a huge interest by media agencies and greater buzz on social media Using our previous Miri Gala in 2023, as a performance benchmark, the PR value and media impression for the 2025 Malaysian AIDS Foundation Kuching Gala are expected to hit RM 500,000.00.
This includes exclusive interviews, promotional spots during the Gala, and a variety of other engaging opportunities to highlight their support.
We are committed to creating a vibrant media presence that showcases the generous contributions of our sponsors and amplifies the impact of their involvement in this important cause.
Together, we will celebrate the spirit of giving and raise awareness for the fight against HIV/AIDS. Thank you for being part of this meaningful evening!
Sponsorship Tier
Sponsorship
We are delighted to present the opportunity for a more significant engagement and increased ROI through our Presenting Sponsorship slot. We welcome your esteemed company to adopt this role.
Table Sales
You may also support us by purchasing one or more table(s) for 10
at the Gala from the following sponsorship levels:
Contact Us
If the option to become a partner for the Malaysian AIDS Foundation Kuching Gala 2025 is untenable at this moment, MAF also accepts donation of any amount from your esteemed organisation.
Account Information
Your donation can be made by crossed cheque, made payable to Malaysian AIDS Foundation.
You may also directly transfer your donation to our account:
Bank : Maybank Berhad
Bank account name : Malaysian AIDS Foundation
Account number : 5141-0542-1257
Branch : Kompleks Dayabumi Kuala Lumpur
SWIFT Code : MBB-MBBEMYKL
Contact
For further information about the Malaysian AIDS Foundation Red Ribbon Gala 2023, kindly contact:
Jasmin Jalil
Executive Director
T 03-4047 4311 | 012-3200 686
E jasmin@maf.org.my
Mohd Razif Bin Zainuddin
Head of Operations
T 03-4047 4288 | 011 39768083
E razif@maf.org.my
