Mandela receiving a memento on behalf of the Chief Minister from Dr Adeeba, while Hajjah Hanifah (second right) and others look on.
KOTA KINABALU: The State Government remains steadfast in strengthening support for vulnerable HIV/AIDS patients across Sabah, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
“In this shared struggle, our response must be seamless and far-reaching. We are committed to ensuring no one, regardless of how remote, is left behind,” he said at the Red Ribbon Kota Kinabalu High Tea organised by Malaysia AIDS Foundation (MAF) at Hilton Hotel here today. His speech was read by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Caesar Mandela Malakun.
The Chief Minister said the state’s efforts are aligned with the Ministry of Health’s National Strategic Plan on Ending AIDS 2030 (NSPEA2030), which continues to guide and coordinate Malaysia’s HIV/AIDS response.
“As Malaysia works towards ending AIDS by 2030, expanding access to treatment and improving adherence remain key priorities,” he said.
He noted that while treatment and care services are provided free by the Government, many vulnerable individuals, particularly those from low-income groups and remote areas, still face financial and logistical barriers.
To address this, programmes such as the Sabah Health Access Programme (SHAPE), alongside the Ministry of Health’s Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations (DHSKP), play a crucial role in ensuring continued access to treatment.
“These initiatives help bridge the poverty gap by providing support such as transportation to healthcare facilities, food assistance, and basic necessities,” he said.
Hajiji said such support, though simple, is often critical in enabling patients to adhere to treatment while living with dignity and stability.
At the same time, he stressed that prevention and education efforts must be intensified, particularly in light of rising HIV infections among youths through sexual transmission.
He also highlighted the need to address stigma and misinformation, which continue to hinder progress in tackling the epidemic.
“We must foster a society that approaches public health challenges with compassion, maturity, and evidence-based understanding,” he said.
Hajiji added that addressing HIV/AIDS requires a whole-of-society approach involving collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, civil society, community leaders, and the private sector.
He welcomed growing corporate participation in HIV/AIDS initiatives, citing organisations such as Yayasan PETRONAS, Sunway Group, Berjaya Corporation Bhd and Affin Bank.
“This shared responsibility and collective action can create more coordinated and sustainable impact,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hajjah Hanifah Hajar Taib, MAF Borneo Patron Datin Patinggi Jamilah Anu and MAF Chairman Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman.
