NGO says Kelantan HIV infections slashed through joint outreach programmes
PETALING JAYA : A health NGO says its collaboration with the health ministry, Kelantan health department, and Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) has resulted in a significant reduction of HIV infections in the state, following a police raid on an alleged 'gay party'.
Persatuan Perantaraan Pesakit Kelantan (SAHABAT) said the reduction was especially among those who inject drugs, once the primary driver of local HIV transmission. However, it did not provide any statistics.
With HIV transmission methods now shifting towards sexual contact, SAHABAT said different intervention strategies were needed.
'Efforts are now focused on reaching individuals engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour, a group often difficult to access through conventional health services,' it said in a statement.
It added that these strategies were carried out 'with sensitivity to local cultural norms and values'.
Last Saturday, Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat said more than 20 men were arrested at a bungalow in Kota Bharu, allegedly for attending a 'gay party'.
However, several groups and doctors later clarified that it was a health event organised to provide sexual health and HIV-related information, condoms, and voluntary testing to promote safer sexual health practices.
They said the event, which began at 8pm, included talks by healthcare providers, including doctors. It was to have ended by midnight, but about 20 attendees were still at the event awaiting their test results.
None of the attendees at the event was there to provide sexual services, they said.
Yusoff said on Wednesday that the raid, carried out to maintain public order and safeguard moral values, was conducted based on valid intelligence and evidence, with no intent of discrimination.
SAHABAT said it had organised a community outreach programme at a homestay in Kota Bharu on June 17 as part of its targeted approach.
It said the event was aimed at providing a safe, stigma-free space to deliver vital health information, screening services, and counselling, and included talks on HIV and sexually transmitted infections and screenings.
'This outreach reflects the shared commitment of SAHABAT, MAC, the Kelantan health department, and the health ministry to ensure that high-risk communities are not left behind in accessing essential health services,' it said.
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