The Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) announced that it has raised RM1.5 million at the Red Ribbon Gala and Sunway-MAF Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Award 2021 held at Hilton Kuala Lumpur on Dec 10, 2021.
The gala event was officiated by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy commended the HIV/AIDS civil society for their tireless and unwavering dedication to the community response during the pandemic which would go a long way in the concerted effort towards achieving the ending AIDS goal by 2030.
“The Ministry of Health is committed to intensifying testing and treatment for key populations and providing antiretroviral treatment to people living with HIV,” he said in his officiating speech.
MAF chairman Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said the funds raised would be channelled to its Medicine Assistance Scheme, a programme that helps underprivileged Malaysians living with HIV gain access to lifesaving antiretroviral treatment.
“We are accelerating our ending AIDS mission as we rebound from Covid-19, which has only reminded us of the grim reality of the early years of the AIDS pandemic when treatment was wishful thinking. Thanks to 40 years of scientific progress, we now have the most powerful tool that can turn the tide on HIV/AIDS for good which is the antiretroviral treatment.
“It is therefore imperative that we continue to place treatment at the core of our response, while strengthening the political will, financial investment, multi-sectoral collaboration and community engagement to ensure its sustainability,” she said in her speech.
MAF patron Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, in her speech, highlighted the urgency to address the socio-economic disparities that are putting communities affected by HIV/AIDS at greater risk for Covid-19.
“Continued access to antiretroviral treatment significantly improves protection from COVID-19 for people living with HIV, and this is the immediate priority as we continue to grapple with the impact of the pandemic,” she said.
The main highlight of the night was the Sunway-MAF Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Award presentation ceremony.
The year, the Sunway-MAF Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Award was awarded to Dr. Mahani Nordin, an AIDS officer at Terengganu State Health Department.
She is the co-founders of Komuniti Cakna Terengganu, a community-based organization that provides harm reduction services to people who use drugs as well as treatment, care and support to people living with HIV.
She received RM 20,000 cash prize, a specially-designed crystal trophy by Sunway Group and a certificate of excellence.
The Sunway-MAF Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award 2021 marked the beginning of Sunway Group’s long-term collaboration with MAF as the new Official Sustainability Partner.
As MAF’s signature fundraiser, the Red Ribbon Gala gave recognition to unsung heroes who demonstrate exceptional leadership and resilience in their work to support communities impacted by HIV/AIDS through the Sunway-MAF Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Award.
 announced that it has raised RM1.5 million at the Red Ribbon Gala held at Hilton KL on Dec 10, 2021.){kind=link}