Recently, a coalition of NGOs and individuals banded together to call out the Kelantan state police for raiding a bungalow in Kelantan, where an event was taking place. While the police labelled the event as a ‘gay sex party’, the group insisted that it was an HIV awareness and prevention health event.
Now, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, are showing their support for the NGO, Persatuan Perantaraan Pesakit Kelantan (SAHABAT), which organised the event.
Taking to his X page, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad shared his and MOH’s stance on the importance of health awareness events such as the one held in Kelantan.
He wrote, “Collaboration between MOH, the State Health Department (JKN), and health NGOs is of great importance in reaching out to high-risk populations to impart knowledge about prevention strategies, the importance of early diagnosis and benefits of early treatment in preventing serious complications.”
“Health education is also important to improve health literacy and to protect close contacts such as wives and children who are at risk of contracting HIV.”
SAHABAT is a friend of MOH
He went on to emphasise that the NGO that organised the event works closely with MOH to ensure health education programmes get implemented.
“As a health NGO, SAHABAT is an important strategic partner to JKN Kelantan in implementing health education programmes and outreach activities targeting high-risk populations, including intravenous drug users and men who have sex with men (MSM). This effort focuses on increasing awareness regarding HIV infections, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Hepatitis C,”
“MOH remains committed to a public health approach that prioritises disease prevention, early intervention and access to treatment for all, in line with the country’s health policy according to religious values and cultural sensitivity,” he added.
MOH did not comment on the actual raid itself, which was conducted by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
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