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"A bungalow for AIDS victims"
The
Star (www.thestar.com.my)
(21/09/06)
A shelter for HIV/AIDS victims has been set up in Penang to provide care and
food for those who have been abandoned by their families.
State Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman P.K. Subbaiyah
said the Penang Municipal Council had offered a bungalow in Bukit Dumbar for
the shelter.
“There are quite a number of HIV/AIDS patients who have been abandoned by
their families,” he said.
“Instead of letting them roam around spreading HIV/AIDS, they can come to
the centre during the day or stay in.
“They will be given food and basic medication,” he told newsmen after
opening the HIV/AIDS Project 2006 themed Anywhere, Anytime, Anyone, HIV/AIDS
Does Not Discriminate in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) on Tuesday.
It was jointly organised by AIESEC in USM and the AIDS Action and Research
Group (AARG).
Subbaiyah said the centre, the first of its kind in the northern region,
could accommodate up to 15 residents.
But it would not be a centre for treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS but a
venue to provide them support, he added.
The centre has taken in three residents since last month. It is managed by
Community AIDS Service Penang (CASP), a non-governmental organisation.
It reaches out to people living with HIV/AIDS and hopes to create awareness
and provide education to the public on HIV/AIDS issues.
Subbaiyah also commended AIESEC and AARG for organising the project to
minimise the stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.
AARG chairman Assoc Prof Dr Ismail Baba said it was the first time the
organisation combined efforts with AIESEC, the largest youth organisation in
the world, in educating youth on HIV/AIDS.
“I hope to see the continued involvement and support of the Malaysian youth
and the Malaysian society towards making Malaysia a country free of
HIV/AIDS,” said Dr Ismail, who is also CASP chairman.
AIESEC USM advisor Junaimah Jauhar said people living with HIV/AIDS were not
any different from people who had a cold.
“They should be treated with as much care and love as any other person as
the best medicine for them is happiness and peace of mind,” she said.
The HIV/AIDS project director Shobana Nair said the project comprised road
shows to school and colleges in the state from Sept 11 to Sept 25 with games
and activities targeted at creating awareness on HIV/AIDS.
An exhibition featuring educational games, power point presentations and
movie screenings related to HIV/AIDS will be held from Sept 26 to Sept 29 in
USM while a youth conference themed Break Out Day will be held on Sept 30.
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