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4 September 2012
Embassy of Japan in Malaysia
Japanese Grant enables PT
Foundation to upgrade and improve HIV/AIDS centre
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PT
Foundation officially revealed its newly upgraded and improved HIV/AIDS
centre to the public on 28th August 2012 supported by the Government of
Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP).
The Government of Japan contributed RM84,343 under the GGP to help PT
Foundation upgrade and improve its HIV/AIDS centre.
The PT Foundation HIV/AIDS Centre comprises the HIV/AIDS Learning and
Resource Centre, the Community Health Care Centre and the programme
management and administrative offices.
Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia H.E. Shigeru Nakamura said the
Government of Japan was pleased to have this opportunity to support PT
Foundation’s project to upgrade and renovate its HIV/AIDS centre to
expand the knowledge on HIV/AIDS among the public, prevent the spread
of the disease and also extend help to those infected by HIV/AIDS
through the grant.
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Datin Paduka
Marina Mahathir(Left), Mr. Hisham Hussein, Chairman of PT Foundation(Middle) and
Ambassador Nakamura(Right) |
“It is hoped that
an improved and better equipped centre will enable PT Foundation to
enhance HIV/AIDS education, prevention, care and support programmes,
sexuality awareness and empowerment programmes for vulnerable
communities in Malaysia,” he said at the handover ceremony of the
HIV/AIDS centre.
Ambassador Nakamura said the Government of Japan had been actively
involved in various aid and development programmes for providing a
better future for the people in many countries.
Datuk Dr Raj Abdul Karim
President of Malaysian AIDS council
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Up until now, the Government of Japan had contributed about RM14.2 million to about 126 projects in Malaysia under the GGP.
PT Foundation chairman Hisham Hussein said the newly renovated HIV/AIDS centre was the first such centre in Malaysia.
“It
is a safe space for the marginalized communities – where they can get
access to comprehensive, non-judgemental and community friendly
HIV/AIDS, gender and sexuality information and care and support
services,” he added.
According to Hisham, the Learning Centre
has hosted 22 events for a total of 1,121 people while the Meeting Room
on the second floor has had daily meetings attended by a total of 500
persons in July and August 2012.
Malaysian Aids Council
president Datuk Dr Raj Abdul Karim said PT Foundation fulfilled a big
portion of the much needed support and care required by those affected
by HIV/AIDS.
“There is a need for more budget as it is important
for NGOs to maintain their programmes. We need to find the best way to
lobby the Government and for the agencies to understand the issues and
place HIV/AIDS on the national agenda,” she said.
HIV/AIDS
advocate Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir said there was a need to
constantly impress on donors the need to continue with funding and
think in the long term.
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“It would be
incredibly short sighted to cut funding. If we cut now, we will pay
later with the expanded number of infected, treatment costs and losses
to society,” she stressed.
The handover ceremony of the HIV/AIDS
centre was a lively affair which was attended by many of PT
Foundation’s sponsors, donors and partners including representatives
from the Embassies of Finland, Canada and Germany, Malaysian Aids
Council and members of the media.
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