KUCHING: Teratak Kasih Tok Nan is preparing to open its second centre in Bintulu later this year in support of AIDS and HIV patients.
Malaysian AIDS Foundation Sarawak and Sabah patron Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu also revealed plans to open a similar centre in Kota Kinabalu.
“We can confirm that the one in Bintulu will definitely be launched this year,” she said.
“We will also be working together with the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF), community, and all other relevant parties. We will seek funding to support this initiative.
“I hope many more of our brothers and sisters will come forward to join us in our fundraising efforts, so we can work together for the benefit of the community.”
She was speaking to reporters during the MAF Sarawak Aidilfitri open house and zakat donation handover at Teratak Kasih Tok Nan, here on Sunday (May 11).
She also indicated plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Health (KKM) and relevant NGOs to organise motivational courses and awareness programmes, aimed at removing the stigma surrounding HIV and AID patients.
“Sometimes, even their families are afraid to be with them.
“Our goal is to ensure that the public, especially in Sarawak, no longer fears AIDS, and to show that these patients still have a chance to recover,” she added.
Meamwhile,Teratak Kasih Tok Nan chairwoman Dr Ruziana Miss said since its inauguration in 2017, the centre has expanded its services beyond just providing a transit home.
“We now also have a programme called the Sarawak Health Access Programme (SHAPE), where we provide travel subsidies.
“Through this programme, nearly 30 recipients will receive assistance for travel costs to government hospitals and clinics for follow-up treatments.
“This initiative is vital in bridging the healthcare access gap, particularly for those living in remote or rural areas,” she said.
She added that, in summary, the support provided includes the transit home, travel subsidies through the SHAPE, and counselling services for the beneficiaries.
“More than 200 people have received assistance, just at Teratak Kasih here alone. And in Miri, we’ve helped between 100 to 180 people, so altogether we’re looking at around 400 beneficiaries so far.
“In the future, we plan to increase this number, especially since the Malaysian Islamic Council has also increased their funding and we’re planning to expand this concept to Bintulu, and hopefully, Sibu as well,” she added.
