'It was a health event,' NGOs hit back at cops over raid in Kelantan
In a joint statement yesterday, the group - which includes Justice for Sisters, Suaram, Women's Aid Organisation, PSM, and Amnesty International Malaysia - described the June programme...
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The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
French left urges Macron to stop US contraceptive destruction
PARIS: France's left-wing politicians on Saturday called on President Emmanuel Macron to intervene over US plans to destroy nearly $10 million worth of female contraceptives in Europe, calling it an 'affront' to public health. A State Department spokesperson told AFP this week that 'a preliminary decision was made to destroy certain' birth control products from 'terminated Biden-era USAID contracts.' The US Agency for International Development, the country's foreign aid arm, was dismantled by Donald Trump's administration when he returned to office in January, replacing former president Joe Biden. Under the plan, some $9.7 million worth of implant and IUD contraceptives stored in Belgium are reportedly set to be incinerated in France. An open letter signed by French Green leader Marine Tondelier and several female lawmakers called the US decision 'an affront to the fundamental principles of solidarity, public health and sexual and reproductive rights that France is committed to defending.' In the letter, they urged the French president 'not to be complicit, even indirectly, in retrograde policies,' saying women's contraception products such as IUDs and implants were intended for 'low- and middle-income countries.' 'Cutting aid for contraception is shameful, destroying products that have already been manufactured and financed is even more mind-boggling,' Tondelier told AFP. The Greens urged Macron to request the suspension of the plan 'as part of a joint initiative with the European Commission.' They also called on him to back humanitarian organisations that say they are ready to redistribute the contraception products. Separately, Mathilde Panot, parliamentary leader of the hard left France Unbowed (LFI) party, also urged Macron and Prime Minister Francois Bayrou to take action. 'You have a responsibility to act to prevent this destruction, which will cost lives,' she said on X. 'These resources are vital, particularly for the 218 million women who do not have access to contraceptive care.' The US plan has sparked outrage from global health NGOs, with Doctors Without Borders denouncing the 'callous waste.' 'It is unconscionable to think of these health products being burned when the demand for them globally is so great,' said Rachel Milkovich of the medical charity's US office. The State Department spokesperson said the destruction will cost $167,000 and 'no HIV medications or condoms are being destroyed.' Doctors Without Borders says that other organisations have offered to cover the shipping and distribution costs of the supplies, but the US government declined to sign off. US lawmakers have approved slashing some $9 billion in aid primarily destined for foreign countries. - AFP
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
NGO says Kelantan HIV infections slashed through joint outreach programmes
Persatuan Perantaraan Pesakit Kelantan said the event was aimed at providing a safe, stigma-free space to deliver vital health information, screening services, and counselling. PETALING JAYA : A health NGO says its collaboration with the health ministry, Kelantan health department, and Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) has resulted in a significant reduction of HIV infections in the state, following a police raid on an alleged 'gay party'. Persatuan Perantaraan Pesakit Kelantan (SAHABAT) said the reduction was especially among those who inject drugs, once the primary driver of local HIV transmission. However, it did not provide any statistics. With HIV transmission methods now shifting towards sexual contact, SAHABAT said different intervention strategies were needed. 'Efforts are now focused on reaching individuals engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour, a group often difficult to access through conventional health services,' it said in a statement. It added that these strategies were carried out 'with sensitivity to local cultural norms and values'. Last Saturday, Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat said more than 20 men were arrested at a bungalow in Kota Bharu, allegedly for attending a 'gay party'. However, several groups and doctors later clarified that it was a health event organised to provide sexual health and HIV-related information, condoms, and voluntary testing to promote safer sexual health practices. They said the event, which began at 8pm, included talks by healthcare providers, including doctors. It was to have ended by midnight, but about 20 attendees were still at the event awaiting their test results. None of the attendees at the event was there to provide sexual services, they said. Yusoff said on Wednesday that the raid, carried out to maintain public order and safeguard moral values, was conducted based on valid intelligence and evidence, with no intent of discrimination. SAHABAT said it had organised a community outreach programme at a homestay in Kota Bharu on June 17 as part of its targeted approach. It said the event was aimed at providing a safe, stigma-free space to deliver vital health information, screening services, and counselling, and included talks on HIV and sexually transmitted infections and screenings. 'This outreach reflects the shared commitment of SAHABAT, MAC, the Kelantan health department, and the health ministry to ensure that high-risk communities are not left behind in accessing essential health services,' it said.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Opposition MP seeks clarification over conflicting accounts of Kemumim raid
KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition Member of Parliament has urged the Health Ministry to clarify details surrounding the recent raid on a gathering in Kemumin, Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan last month. Datuk Ahmad Saad (PN–Pokok Sena) described the conflicting statements from the ministry and the police regarding the incident as puzzling. "I would like the ministry to respond regarding the recent arrests at what has been described as a gay party, as the statements issued about the event are contradictory, which is rather strange. "There appears to be a conflict between the Health Ministry and the police. In other words, who is telling the truth – or who is not? "Kelantan police have confirmed that there was no involvement from non-governmental organisations, health clinics, or the Health Ministry at the event. In fact, no representatives from any NGOs or ministry agencies were present," he said during the debate on the 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) in the Dewan Rakyat today. On July 17, it was reported that police had foiled a secret gathering involving more than 100 gay men in Pengkalan Chepa, believed to be on the verge of escalating into immoral activities. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the event was held at a rented bungalow in Kemumin in mid-June, following a tip-off from the public about a planned closed-door gathering of a gay group in Kota Baru. However, on July 22, the Kelantan Health Department issued a statement clarifying that the event was, in fact, an HIV awareness programme. The programme was organised by Sahabat, a non-governmental organisation operating under the guidance of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF). Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said on X that collaboration between the ministry, state health departments, and NGOs was vital in reaching high-risk populations, to raise awareness about prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. However, on July 23, Yusoff reiterated in a statement that the police stood by their original assessment that the gathering was not a health-related event but a social gathering involving members of the gay community. He said investigations found no evidence that the invitations referred to any official collaboration or organisation by NGOs, health clinics, or the Health Ministry.
