Sabah AIDS Awareness Group Association (SAGA), formerly Sandakan AIDS Support Group Association (Registry of Societies Malaysia registration no. PPM-001-12-12092008), was established in 2008 as the non-governmental organisation leading the community-based HIV/AIDS response in Sabah in partnership with the Ministry of Health Malaysia and Malaysian AIDS Council. It was founded by Dr. Zaiton Binti Yahaya, a family medicine consultant at Klinik Kesihatan Sandakan.

SAGA provides health services related to HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections to people living with HIV and key affected populations  in Sandakan. In response to the rise in sexual transmission of HIV, it has begun to expand its scope of services to cover other vulnerable populations such as women, youths and adolescents.

MISSION

To create a society free from the impact of HIV/AIDS by improving public awareness, health promotion and behaviour change in Sabah. SAGA focuses on the disease prevention aspect of HIV/AIDS control and upholds equality for all, regardless of ethnicity, faith, socioeconomic status and gender, in the access to and delivery of its services.

OBJECTIVES

1. To promote healthy lifestyle in the local community
2. To nurture the spirit of volunteerism and increased public involvements in community works.
3. To serve as a platform for key population to access HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services
4. To provide information and counselling on HIV/AIDS and related issues to people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
5. To reach out to young people and their families with important information about HIV/AIDS and sexual reproductive health, particularly to adolescent and vulnerable youth.

Sabah AIDS Awareness Group Association (SAGA)