The Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) together with condom manufacturer Karex Berhad and global hospitality company Hilton joined hands in their first partnership programme called ‘ONE x Hilton for MAF’ to support the government’s strategic plan of ending AIDS by 2030.
In a statement, MAF chairman Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a huge toll on their fundraising endeavours as they have been restricted in holding any form of charity fundraising events.
“I am very grateful to our long-standing partners Karex Berhad and Hilton, who continued to be on board with us through these difficult times. This partnership is what we need to help us continue our efforts to bring AIDS to an end by 2030 and alleviate the plight of the people living with HIV (PLHIV) community,” she added.
According to the statement, a special edition condom – ONE Condoms from Karex Berhad will be available in the rooms of all Hilton hotel brands throughout the country, including DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inns.
The public can donate to Malaysian AIDS Foundation at donate.yam.org.my and receive an exclusive ONE x Hilton condom pack. Aside from that, the public can purchase the exclusive special edition condom at only RM30 at MAF official store on Shopee (shopee.com.my/maf.os).
All purchases of the condoms will be directly channelled to the Malaysian AIDS Foundation to support treatment, care and support programmes for the underprivileged People Living with HIV (PLHIV) community.
The statement quoted Adeeba as pointing out that sexual transmission of HIV has remained the highest at 95% out of all other transmissions as of 2019.
“We need to emphasise the importance of practising safe sex, frequent HIV testing and expand pre-exposure prophylaxis for those at risk, and ensure that people living with HIV are receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy.
“I believe this partnership will help to break barriers in addressing HIV prevention and treatment and create meaningful conversation regarding HIV and sexual transmission,” she said.
Eugene Oelofse, marketing and communications director of Hilton in Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam said the company is proud to partner with Karex Berhad in the cause to support MAF‘s effort in getting treatment and care for the PLHIV community.
“Hilton has always been an ally for the PLHIV community as we believe everyone, regardless of their health status, deserves to be respected and live a life free from discrimination. I have great expectations on the outcome of this partnership and the campaign in moving forward with ending AIDS by 2030,” he said.
Karex Berhad group chief executive officer Goh Miah Kiat said the company remains committed to supporting MAF in bringing awareness on sexual and reproductive health and the HIV epidemic in these challenging times.
“Through our partnership, this is the second opportunity we have with the Malaysian AIDS Foundation in producing special edition condoms. I hope this partnership will develop into something greater in the direction of helping the community,” he said.
