Sarawak Expands Teratak Kasih Tok Nan To Miri & Bintulu To Advance Community-based HIV Care
KUCHING: Sarawak is expanding its community-based HIV services beyond Kuching to Miri and Bintulu, backed by a three-year state allocation of RM2.25 million.
The expansion initiative aims to bring medical treatment, temporary accommodation, and psychosocial support closer to individuals living with HIV, their families, and vulnerable communities across the state.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) to foster an inclusive society alongside economic development.
"Sarawak’s development agenda has always centred on improving the quality of life of our people. While we continue to strengthen our economy and embrace innovation, we must also ensure that progress is inclusive and no one is left behind.
"Healthcare is a fundamental investment in our human capital, and initiatives such as Teratak Kasih Tok Nan demonstrate our commitment to accessible, compassionate and people-centred healthcare for every Sarawakian," he said in a statement.
He added that expanding community-based healthcare strengthens health outcomes while supporting Malaysia’s broader goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
First established as a halfway home and support center in Kuching, Teratak Kasih Tok Nan provides temporary shelter, counselling, treatment monitoring, welfare support, and community outreach.
The initiative's continued growth has been spearheaded by Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) Borneo Patron, Datuk Amar Hajah Jamilah Anu, who highlighted the center's role in eliminating stigma and providing compassionate care.
"Every person deserves dignity, compassion and respect, regardless of circumstance. Teratak Kasih Tok Nan was established not only to provide care, but also to restore hope, reduce stigma and remind people living with HIV that they are not alone," said Datuk Amar Jamilah.
The expansion efforts complement the Sarawak Health Access Programme (SHAPE), launched in 2018 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Malaysia to provide travel subsidies for low-income patients requiring specialized chronic disease treatments at distant urban hospitals.
The initiative involves multi-sector partnerships between the Sarawak Government, the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, Sunway Group, and Yayasan PETRONAS. - UKASnews
