NUMed Heightens Community Awareness in Conjunction with World AIDS Day
For the first time, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) partnered with Klinik Kesihatan Taman Universiti (KKTU) and key organisations to host a World AIDS Day event, setting a new benchmark for community engagement and public health advocacy.
17 December 2024
World AIDS Day, observed every December, is an important platform for shining the spotlight on the needs of those affected by HIV and AIDS. This year, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) got in on the action by partnering with Klinik Kesihatan Taman Universiti (KKTU) to host a meaningful World AIDS Day event right on our campus. Held in collaboration with Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah (PKD) Johor Bahru, Panel Penasihat KKTU and Intan Life Zone Welfare Society Johor Bahru, the event set a new precedent for community engagement and public health advocacy.
The event was conceived to foster a supportive environment for our students and faculty, as well as the broader community, contributing to raising awareness and promoting proactive engagement in combating HIV/AIDS.
In his welcome address, Professor Dr Harinarayan Radhakrishna, our Dean of Clinical Affairs, shared that “HIV and AIDS awareness goes beyond understanding the disease, its transmission, and available treatments. It is also about addressing and reducing the stigma, which unfortunately continues to exist in many societies. This remains a significant challenge and should be one of our primary focuses.”
In addition to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, particularly among high-risk groups, and to highlight the critical importance of prevention and treatment, we emphasised the necessity of early and regular HIV screening, encouraging timely detection and care to reduce the spread of the virus. Besides that, the event sought to challenge and reduce the stigma and discrimination faced by individuals living with HIV, fostering a culture of inclusivity and understanding. It provided a platform for students, faculty, and community members to engage in open discussions, access vital information, and address issues related to HIV in a constructive and meaningful way.
The day’s activities were marked by a series of impactful and interactive sessions. The highlight was a panel discussion featuring experts including Dr Nimelesh Balanthiren, Family Medicine Specialist at KKTU; Dr Leeynesh Sooriyapiragasam, Clinical Lecturer at NUMed; and Mr Angel Zahrin Jenewien from Intan Life Zone Welfare Society Johor Bahru.
Moderated by Dhanya Ravintharan, a Year 4 Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) student here, the panel provided an in-depth discussion on key topics such as the latest statistics on HIV in Malaysia, strategies to reduce stigma and ensure equitable healthcare access for marginalised groups, and the differences between HIV and AIDS in terms of clinical presentation.
We also explored barriers to early testing and how healthcare systems can encourage timely testing, as well as highlighting the importance of psychosocial support and empowerment programmes provided by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Attended by over 70 students and staff members from the university, the event included quizzes, interactive activities, and a dedicated HIV exhibition as well. These activities encouraged participants to engage in a fun yet informative manner. In addition to raising awareness, the event offered HIV screening to attendees, encouraging people to take proactive steps toward their health. The National Health Screening Initiative (NHSI) was also promoted, aiming to make HIV testing more accessible and encourage regular screenings as part of routine health check-ups.
Dr Nimelesh expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the collaboration that made this year’s World AIDS Day awareness programme a resounding success. “These programmes foster understanding, reduce discrimination against individuals living with HIV, and encourage equitable healthcare access, particularly for marginalised communities. Additionally, they provide a platform for addressing challenges such as misinformation, barriers to testing, and lack of psychosocial support,” he explained, underscoring the importance of continued community engagement in combating HIV.
Dr Leeynesh chimed in to extend his sincere gratitude to Professor Dr Harinarayan, Dr Rozita Zakaria, and all other staff members of the university, with special thanks to the KKTU team, namely Dr Nimelesh, Dr Darshana, Dr Zaharita, Dr Fasehah, Dr Faradilla, and all KKTU staff along with Mr Zahrin and Intan Life Zone Welfare Society Johor Bahru for their collaboration. “This marks NUMed’s first such collaboration for a community awareness programme, emphasising the importance of primary prevention at an early stage,” he added, highlighting the programme’s far-reaching impact.
