KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has increased its annual allocation for the Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations (DHSKP) programme to RM8 million for next year.
At the Red Ribbon Gala 2025 organised by the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) here last night, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said on top of that funding for the community programme, the government invests more than RM80 million every year for life-saving HIV treatment and support services nationwide.
“This enhanced support ensures continuity as we move toward domestic financing, following Malaysia’s gradual transition from the Global Fund,” said Dzulkefly in a speech at the event yesterday, referring to the world’s biggest multilateral funder of global health grants for AIDS, TB, and malaria.
The DHSKP programme empowers community health care workers to work between key populations and public health clinics, described by the health minister as a “shining example” of partnership between government, civil society, and communities.
MAF chairwoman Prof Emeritus Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman acknowledged that HIV initiatives aren’t exempted from reduced aid and tighter budgets for sectors like health and development around the world.
She said MOH’s RM8 million grant for the DHSKP 2026 underscored the government’s strong commitment to achieving the goals of the National Strategic Plan to End AIDS (NSPEA) and the UNAIDS 95–95–95 targets.
“It also demonstrates how strategic public investment can inspire and mobilise corporate social responsibility support, advancing a whole-of-society and community-led approach to ensure that quality HIV prevention, care, and treatment services reach those who need them most, in every part of our nation,” said Dr Adeeba.
The HIV expert thanked the Global Fund for supporting Malaysia’s HIV response for nearly 15 years.
“Working hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Health, they have enhanced the impact and reach of HIV prevention programmes nationwide,” said Dr Adeeba.
The Red Ribbon Gala event also highlighted Sarawak’s Teratak Kasih Tok Nan HIV initiative by Jamilah Anu, the widow of the late Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem, with a three-year commitment of RM2.25 million to strengthen community-based HIV services in Kuching and Miri. A new centre is soon to open in Bintulu.
According to Dr Adeeba, this initiative also supports the Sarawak Health Access Programme (Shape) by the Sarawak state health department, an initiative providing travel and treatment assistance for underprivileged patients, including people living with HIV, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
“Shape promotes equitable access to health care and ensures continuity of HIV treatment and care, so that no one is left behind due to distance or financial hardship,” she said.
In Sabah, the Health Access Programme continues through with support from Sunway Group, Yayasan Petronas, and Yayasan Sime Darby.
“Their contributions enable B40 patients to access life-saving HIV treatment and second-line ARV therapy, reflecting a shared commitment to health equity and Malaysia’s goal of ending AIDS,” said Dr Adeeba.
She further thanked Sunway Group founder and chairman Jeffrey Cheah for the Sunway-Hope partnership that reflects Sunway’s strong alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sunway contributed RM5 million over five years, benefiting underserved communities in Borneo, Sabah, and Sarawak.
“At Sunway, we firmly believe that no corporation can stand apart from the communities it serves, which is why most of our corporate social responsibility efforts are focused on helping the marginalised and often the forgotten sectors of society,” Cheah said at the event.
According to MAF, Karex Berhad contributed 700,000 condoms and 700,000 lubricants this year to Malaysia’s national HIV prevention efforts under the DHSKP programme.
“For many years, condoms donated by Karex have been distributed by our community health care workers to those most at risk — perfectly complementing the broader suite of HIV prevention tools that stand at the forefront of DHSKP,” said Dr Adeeba.
This year’s Red Ribbon Gala raised over RM2.2 million that will directly support MAF’s community-based treatment, care, and prevention programmes nationwide, with Dr Adeeba thanking Berjaya Corporation Berhad, AmBank, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, OCBC Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
At the event, Dr Adeeba launched the Malaysian AIDS Foundation Impact Report 2025, a five-year reflection capturing stories of resilience and progress through community-led programmes across the nation.
“To our NGO and community partners, your dedication on the ground — day after day — turns policy into real, measurable impact. You are the heart of this movement. Together, these partnerships show what is possible when we unite under a common purpose — to build a future free from stigma, where care and dignity are accessible to all,” she said.
