City Report and Action Plan

Kuantan

Mr. Mohamad Zainudin Idris
Director, Health and Cleanliness Control Department
Kuantan Municipal Council
Malaysia

CITY REPORT

Kuantan is situated on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia and has a population of 409,000. It was upgraded from town to municipal status in 1979. A total of 55% of the area is protected as permanent forest reserve and 35% is reserved for agriculture (mainly oil palms). Scenic beaches near and within the city are popular attractions. Primary incomes of the population are derived from agriculture and various other industries. The city is currently experiencing high population growth (3.8%) from migrants due to its economic opportunities. Approximately 50% of the population is below the age of 20.

The Kuantan Municipal Council, headed by the mayor, is the third level of government in Malaysia below federal and state levels. A maximum of 24 members are appointed to the council's board, and each member may serve no longer that two two-year terms. Full council meetings are held monthly, where major policies, budgets, projects and general matters are discussed and decided.

Reproductive Health

Kuantan is not directly responsible for health, as this is the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health at the national level. Public health in Kuantan falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Cleanliness Control, but other departments also have related responsibilities, so collaboration between departments is carried out. The city is responsible for abatement of dengue and some other communicable diseases, as well as more general tasks such as cleanliness of food establishments and preventive measures for activities that may have impact on the quality of the environment.

HIV/AIDS

As of 2004, there have been 297 confirmed cases of HIV and 66 cases of AIDS in Kuantan. This marks a steady rise since 2000, when there were 108 cases of HIV and no cases of AIDS. The 20-49 age group accounts for the largest proportion of those infected, but it should be noted that there were six cases of HIV in infants below age 2.

In Malaysia for the period 1986-2000, the majority of reported HIV/AIDS cases were males within the age groups 20-29 (37.3%) and 30-39 (42.9%). By risk category, most of the infections resulted from intravenous drug use (76.2%) followed by homosexual transmission (17.5%). The country is taking a holistic approach to HIV/AIDS prevention.

ACTION PLAN

Objectives

1. To ensure that the 80,000 adolescents in the Kuantan area are reachable and well informed about sexual and reproductive health within three to six months.
2. To promote healthy lifestyle practices.

Assumptions:

1. The agencies are capable of offering reliable resources, information and knowledge about adolescent reproductive health and HIV/AIDS.
2. That with an integrated approach and coordination among the agencies, the number of new HIV infections among adolescents can be reduced.
3. That all adolescents in the area are reachable.

Target Group

Targeted youths are between ages 7 to 18.

Strategies

Coordination of the functions of relevant government agencies and NGOs.

Timeline

1. Set up a new district coordinating committee.
1. Propose new committee members to mayor. Sept. 2005
2. Obtain state administrator approval and advise ministries and NGOs. Oct. 2005
3. Establish functions and budget proposal for committee. Oct. 2005.
4. First committee meeting to detail existing programs. Nov. 2005
5. Establish youth-friendly health clinic.
6. Propose future programs.
2. Implementation
1. Determination of target group. Jan. 2006
2. Discuss with Education Department and institutions of higher learning the programs in schools.
3. Kuantan Municipal Council to host monthly meetings of the Coordinating Committee on AIDS.
4. Treat youths with HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancies.

Evaluation

By the end of the year, assess reduction in the number of youths involved in drug abuse, reduction in number of youths with HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies or abortions, reduction in all HIV cases, and the number of youths receiving treatment for HIV. (Academic staff from School of Medicine, International Islamic University, to do the evaluation.)

Role of Kuantan Municipal Council

The council can also help improve adolescents' lives by offering sports facilities, essay and debate competitions, recreational activities; assist other agencies in providing these facilities; and help provide media access to promote programs.