Health Ministry works with NGOs to combat HIV

New Straits Times

2 days ago

KOTA BARU: Kelantan Health Director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin said collaboration between the Health Ministry (MOH), his department and health-related non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is vital in engaging high-risk groups, including intravenous drug users and men who have sex with men (MSM).
He said their collaboration enhanced awareness of disease prevention, early diagnosis and timely treatment to avoid serious complications.
"The Health Ministry is referring to recent news coverage on an outreach activity by Sahabat, an NGO operating under the guidance of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF).
"Sahabat is a strategic partner of the Kelantan Health Department and has worked closely with us since 2006 in implementing health education and field activities targeting high-risk populations, including intravenous drug users and MSM," he said.
Zaini said health education plays a crucial role in protecting close contacts, including wives and children, who may be at risk of HIV infection.
He added that the outreach efforts also focused on raising awareness about HIV, sexually transmitted infections and Hepatitis C.
"The MOH remains committed to a public health approach that prioritises disease prevention, early intervention and access to treatment for all, in line with the national health policy that respects religious values and cultural sensitivities," he said.
Kelantan police foiled a secret gathering involving more than 100 gay men in Pengkalan Chepa last month, which was believed to be on the verge of escalating into immoral activities.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the event took place at a rented bungalow in Kemumin in mid-June, following a tip-off from the public regarding a planned closed-door event involving a gay group in Kota Baru.