KUCHING: Five beneficiary households under the Sarawak Health Access Programme (SHAPE) across the city received essential food baskets and packed meals through the ‘Satu Juadah, Seribu Keberkatan’ outreach programme organised in conjunction with the holy month of Ramadan.
The initiative was carried out by the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) in collaboration with Teratak Kasih Tok Nan (TKTN), aimed at supporting families affected by HIV through household visits and community engagement.
Organised by MAF’s Sarawak Branch and its flagship One Stop Centre in Kuching, Teratak Kasih Tok Nan, the programme reflects the foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting communities impacted by HIV during Ramadan.
The outreach was led by MAF Borneo’s patron, Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, together with MAF’s Executive Director, Jasmin Jalil, and chairwoman of Teratak Kasih Tok Nan, Dr Ruziana Miss.
When met by reporters at the first beneficiary house yesterday, Jamilah said the assistance programme organised by Teratak Kasih Tok Nan is held annually to support selected beneficiaries, particularly people living with HIV.
She said while the programme is conducted every year, beneficiaries actually receive support on a continuous monthly basis.
“However, during festive seasons such as Ramadan, Gawai Dayak, Chinese New Year and Christmas, our team will go to the ground to deliver assistance while also introducing this programme to the wider community.
“One of our main goals is to eliminate the stigma against people living with HIV and AIDS. With the advancement of treatment and medication today, many patients can live healthier lives with proper medical care and supervision,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dr Ruziana said efforts are ongoing to eliminate the stigma faced by individuals living with HIV, noting that negative perceptions and discrimination remain common in society.
However, she stressed that HIV is a condition that can be controlled through proper treatment, although there is currently no complete cure.
“It is somewhat similar to other chronic diseases such as diabetes, where patients can still live normal lives if they receive treatment and take their medication consistently. If the HIV virus in the blood can be controlled, they can work and live their lives just like anyone else,” she said.
The SHAPE programme, implemented by MAF, supports underprivileged Sarawakians living with HIV who face barriers to accessing treatment due to distance, poverty and other social challenges.
Beyond the household visits, the MAF and TKTN team also distributed packed meals to hospitals, clinics and local non-governmental organisations across Kuching, extending the spirit of Ramadan to frontline health facilities and community partners assisting vulnerable groups.
