KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — Social media has led to an increase in the awareness, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS to young Malaysians.

Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) chairman Prof Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman revealed that increased presence online will be an important step to informing the youth on HIV/AIDS treatment.

She told Malay Mail in a virtual conference that the online JOM Test programme was critical during and after the pandemic to deliver free HIV self-test kits to Malaysians.

Dr Adeeba also revealed the Centre of Excellence For Research in AIDS (CERIA) will doing studies with colleagues in the US to use gamification to educate the young Malaysian LGBTQ+ communities.

“Social media is where the presence of the Malaysian youth is the strongest.

“Hopefully our studies will help us to use technology to educate young Malaysians and if it’s proven to be effective then we will definitely scale it up.”

Dr. Adeeba said this after announcing the return of MAF’s flagship fundraiser event, The Sunway MAF Red Ribbon Gala 2022 where the Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award will be presented.

The black-tie dinner aims to raise funds for the MAF’s Medicine Assistance Scheme, which will help provide Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to underprivileged Malaysians with HIV.

The Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award will be given to an organisation or individual demonstrating excellence and leadership in the cause of ending AIDS.

Indonesian singer Krisdayanti is also expected to serenade the night with a comeback performance.

High-profile guests such as the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah and the Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim alongside caretaker Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Sunway Group Founder and Chairman, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah will be in attendance.

In a statement, Cheah emphasised Sunway’s commitment to helping marginalised communities as part of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

“Sunway is proud to be a long-term partner of MAF, and our support for this worthy cause is based on our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to leave no one behind,” Cheah said.

Datuk Seri Jessy Lai, chair of the World Conference on Exercise Medicine and CEO of Monspace Multinational Companies, who is the Gala’s Co-Sponsor said while some may see it as a glamorous event, this charity benefit actually aims to raise funds for poor Malaysians living with HIV to access life-saving medication and treatment.”

“We hope that our contribution will help MAF to reach out to many more people living with HIV who need urgent assistance in their fight for survival and at the same time, keep the momentum to move forward in their mission to end AIDS in the country,” she added.

For more information on the Sunway-MAF Red Ribbon Gala 2022 visit https://maf.org.my/V2/project/red-ribbon-gala-2022/.

* Malay Mail is the official strategic media partner for The Sunway MAF Red Ribbon Gala 2022.