Latest news with #ZainiHussin
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
'Gay sex party': Health Ministry-NGO collab vital in enhancing infectious disease prevention, says Kelantan Health director
KOTA BARU: Close collaboration between the Health Ministry and health-related non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is a key element in strengthening infectious disease prevention and implementing early interventions, especially among high-risk groups, according to Kelantan Health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin. According to Bernama, he said strategic approaches such as outreach activities conducted by the Kelantan Patient Intermediary Association (Sahabat), with support from the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, serve as a good example of an effective collaboration between government agencies and NGOs. He said collaboration with NGOs like Sahabat enables the ministry to reach out to high-risk groups such as drug addicts who use syringes and men who have sex with men. "Health education programmes and field activities conducted since 2006 by Sahabat in partnership with the ministry have had a positive impact on raising public awareness about HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, and Hepatitis C. "The health education provided not only aims to raise awareness of the importance of prevention and early diagnosis but also helps protect close contacts such as wives and children from the risk of infection,' he said in a statement on Monday (July 21). Dr Zaini's statement comes hot on the heels of a police raid on a supposed "gay sex party" a bungalow in Kemumin, Kota Bharu, last week. However, the raid has sparked controversy after several NGOs and individuals denied that any illicit activities took place, claiming instead that the gathering was a health outreach event focused on HIV awareness and testing. Commenting further, Dr Zaini said the ministry remains committed to a public health approach that prioritises prevention, early intervention, and comprehensive treatment access for all levels of society. He said this is in line with the national health policy, which takes into account religious values and cultural sensitivities. "Such strategic collaborations will continue to be expanded as part of efforts to strengthen the community support system in addressing public health issues in an inclusive and effective manner,' he said.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
MOH-NGO partnership boosts infectious disease prevention in Kelantan
KOTA BHARU: Close collaboration between the Health Ministry (MOH) and health-related non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is crucial in strengthening infectious disease prevention and early intervention efforts, particularly among high-risk groups, said Kelantan Health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin. He cited outreach initiatives by the Kelantan Patient Intermediary Association (Sahabat), supported by the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, as a successful model of government-NGO cooperation. Such partnerships allow MOH to engage with vulnerable communities, including intravenous drug users and men who have sex with men. 'Health education programmes and field activities conducted since 2006 by Sahabat in partnership with the ministry have had a positive impact on raising public awareness about HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, and Hepatitis C,' Dr Zaini said in a statement. He emphasised that these efforts not only promote prevention and early diagnosis but also safeguard close contacts, such as family members, from infection risks. Dr Zaini reiterated the ministry's commitment to a public health approach focused on prevention, early intervention, and accessible treatment for all. This aligns with national health policies that respect religious and cultural sensitivities. 'Such strategic collaborations will continue to be expanded as part of efforts to strengthen the community support system in addressing public health issues in an inclusive and effective manner,' he added. - Bernama
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Health Ministry works with NGOs to combat HIV
KOTA BARU: Kelantan Health Director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin said collaboration between the Health Ministry (MOH), his department and health-related non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is vital in engaging high-risk groups, including intravenous drug users and men who have sex with men (MSM). He said their collaboration enhanced awareness of disease prevention, early diagnosis and timely treatment to avoid serious complications. "The Health Ministry is referring to recent news coverage on an outreach activity by Sahabat, an NGO operating under the guidance of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF). "Sahabat is a strategic partner of the Kelantan Health Department and has worked closely with us since 2006 in implementing health education and field activities targeting high-risk populations, including intravenous drug users and MSM," he said. Zaini said health education plays a crucial role in protecting close contacts, including wives and children, who may be at risk of HIV infection. He added that the outreach efforts also focused on raising awareness about HIV, sexually transmitted infections and Hepatitis C. "The MOH remains committed to a public health approach that prioritises disease prevention, early intervention and access to treatment for all, in line with the national health policy that respects religious values and cultural sensitivities," he said. Kelantan police foiled a secret gathering involving more than 100 gay men in Pengkalan Chepa last month, which was believed to be on the verge of escalating into immoral activities. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the event took place at a rented bungalow in Kemumin in mid-June, following a tip-off from the public regarding a planned closed-door event involving a gay group in Kota Baru.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Kelantan Health Dept washes hands off HIV outreach, after Malaysian AIDS Council clarifies misinformation over ‘gay sex party'
KOTA BHARU, July 20 — The Kelantan Health Department has today attempted to distance itself from an HIV health outreach programme in Pengkalan Chepa that was raided by then police, who then alleged that it was a 'gay sex party'. New Straits Times cited state health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin saying the programme was organised by a non-governmental organisation partner of the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC). 'The programme was organised by an NGO,' he was quoted saying. 'The Kota Jembal health officer was only invited to deliver a health talk during one of the event's sessions,' he said. He also alleged that the police raid took place after the programme had concluded. On Friday, MAC confirmed that it conducted a night outreach session here on June 17 under the Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations model. MAC said the session was in collaboration with Kota Jembal Health Clinic and part of a strategic approach introduced by the Health Ministry. It said the session was held from 8pm to 2am and had reached over 70 high-risk individuals, with services scheduled outside office hours to improve accessibility. This comes as a coalition of civil society groups had also urged Kelantan police to revise their statement on a June 2025 raid of an alleged 'gay sex party' here, which they clarified was in fact a health outreach event. The groups, led by transgender rights advocacy group Justice for Sisters, said media reports following the raid resulted in harmful and stigmatising remarks that have intensified fear among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals seeking health services.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Kelantan Health Dept not organiser of LGBT event raided by police
KOTA BARU: The state health department said it was not the organiser of an event in Kampung Kemumin, Pengkalan Chepa, which was raided by police over a suspected lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) gathering last month. Kelantan health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin said the event was organised by a registered non-governmental organisation (NGO) and not by the Kota Jembal district health office or the state health department. "The programme was organised by an NGO. "The Kota Jembal health officer was only invited to deliver a health talk during one of the event's sessions," he said. He added that the NGO involved, SAHABAT, is a registered body under the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC), and that both the Health Ministry and MAC are strategic partners in public health efforts. Dr Zaini reiterated that the programme was neither coordinated nor led by any government health office. He added that, based on information received, the police raid was conducted after the programme had ended, not during the event. On Friday, 31 NGOs and individuals issued a joint statement rejecting police allegations that the mid-June raid targeted a "gay sex party." They insisted the event was a legitimate HIV awareness and health outreach session. In response, Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat had said the raid on a gathering involving over 100 individuals was based on strong evidence. It was reported that Kelantan police raided a bungalow in Kemumin following complaints about an alleged gathering involving gay individuals. Three individuals were detained for possessing obscene videos involving men, while statements were taken from 20 other participants. Police also found hundreds of condoms and HIV prevention pills in one of the rooms.
