About Us

The Society for AIDS Care, established in November 1994, is a community-based and non-profit making charitable organization. It is the first non-governmental organization in Asia providing high quality direct patient care services to children, adults and elderly people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) and their care-givers. Our professional service team consists of nurses, social workers, counselors and physiotherapists. We provide both outreach services and center-based services on care and prevention of HIV/AIDS, including drug supervision, therapeutic counseling, psychological support, physiotherapy, physical training, peers support, public education and volunteers training. We are committed to providing professional care services to PLHIV to strengthen their self-care ability, build up their self-confidence and vision of positive living, so as to facilitate full community reintegration.

History

In 1996, the government leased the Tai Po Lookout to SAC. We launched the Lookout Residential Care Centre to provide hospice care for our members. The service was first operated in June 1997 and was successfully transformed to a center based rehabilitation center in Kowloon after the closure of the hospice service on 1 June 2000.

The Lookout functioned as a 24-hour residential medical center that offered day care as well as in-patient service, particularly for terminal patients. It was recognized as Asia’s first and only 24-hour residential medical care center at that time. Facilities were also set up for patients’ families to stay overnight when they needed to. On top of these, the Lookout was a center for physiotherapy and counseling to help patient maintain good physical and psychological health. An integration of services was provided by a team of specifically trained doctors, nurses and social workers in palliative care. It was closely associated with other Hong Kong SAR medical bodies such as the Department of Health AIDS Unit and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Special Medical Unit to provide more comprehensive care to patients. In addition, the Lookout provided educational and experimental training for medical personnel in AIDS care.

Most of the patients admitted when the Lookout first operated were kicked out by their families, who could not tolerate the notion of living under the same roof with relatives contracted with HIV. They had low chance of survival unless they had a high insurance premium or were able to afford treatment overseas. Two of the seventy-three patients died during their stay at the Lookout. The bungalow served as a quiet sanctuary for these patients.

With the advancement of AIDS treatment, demand for hospice service for AIDS care declined drastically with the emergence of antiretroviral drugs, which profoundly lengthen the life span of AIDS patients. Taking a combination of several drugs, patients are expected to live as long as they remain on medication. The plan for expansion was eventually abandoned as dedicated hospice facilities were no longer widely needed as before. Access to medical care in public hospitals was much easier. Thereon, the Lookout put its focus on nursing care and counseling instead of medical services. It served as a “mid-way home” for patients to rebuild self-esteem and helped them integrate into the community by providing space and time for them to organize themselves.

Funding for the Lookout ceased in the third year of the Project on the grounds that the Project performed overlapping functions as other hospice services provided by public hospitals. The SAC could not find sufficient financial support for running the Lookout. Moreover, resorting to life in a remote part of the New Territories was unnecessary as AIDS patients under cocktail therapy were able to lead to a more or less normal life at home. Falling short of demand, together with the drying up of funds, prompted the SAC’s decision to put an end to the Project in February 2000. The last two patients at the Lookout were transferred to other medical centers and marked the official closure of the Lookout at the end of May 2000. Although the Lookout Project did not last long, it was a pioneering experiment to introduce hospice service into the existing medical system. It brought insights to other health projects as in the importance of considering medical development and patients’ needs.

MISSION

We are committed to provide professional care service to the PLHIV to strengthen their self-care ability, build up their self-confidence and vision of positive living, so as to facilitate their full community reintegration.

OBJECTIVE

To advocate for PLHIV on their rights to have quality of life and rights to be respected.
To collaborate with and to empower partners including community groups or individuals to develop integrated sustainable HIV/AIDS programs on care and prevention.
To provide resources and support for partners in implementing HIV/AIDS programs on care and prevention.

Milestones

Organization Structure,
Board of Directors & Founder,
Message from CEO

Milestones

1994

The Society for AIDS Care was established
1995

The Home Care Service commenced by a group of professional nurses
1996

The government leased the Tai Po Lookout to SAC
1997

Provision of hospice care service to the terminally ill patients at Lookout Residential Care Centre
1999

Rehabilitation Service has commenced since 1999 to improve or maintain PLHIV’s physical abilities and enabling them to develop a better quality of life and a better preparation for community re-integration
2000

Closure of Lookout and transformed our center based rehabilitation center in Kowloon

Milestones

2001

Implemented “Mother-to-Child Transmission Prevention Program”, the only charitable organization to provide this service in Hong Kong.
2003

Moved the Day Centre to Mongkok which is a safe and cozy place where the PLHIV could feel free to visit, use the facilities and join the therapeutic programs.
2004

Set up Community Fundraising Team and help to promote community acceptance and AIDS related information & education in the community
2006
- Launched the Home Base Counseling Service
- Launched HK-China AIDS Training Program
2008

Set-up Food Bank at Day Centre
2010

Launched a new school program “HEY!” (HIV/AIDS Education for Youth) for teenagers

Milestones

2011
- Dr. Andrew Yuen and Ms. Caroline Wong joined SAC as Board Directors Through our Mother-to Child Transmission Intervention Program, there were six babies born HIV free in that year. Took part in the “F2F Monthly Giving Alliance” with 19 local organizations to increase transparency of street face-to-face fund raising activity. All projects submitted for Lee Ka Shing Foundation “Love Ideas HK Programme” were successfully funded in which “Love@Nutritional Meals” was awarded by Mr. Lee Ka Shing personally for an extra double grant. Collaborated the Social Work Students Placement Training Program with School of Public Affairs, Henan Normal University.
2012
- Since 2001, SAC experienced a 100% success rate in terms of prevention with a total of 30 babies born free of HIV today. To commemorate World AIDS Day, SAC invited over 6,000 people from different sectors of the community to take photo with the message “We do not discriminate against people living with HIV/AIDS” on a red ribbon to show their support.
2013
- Granted free air time for our newly produced TV commercial from the Government Announcements in the Public Interest this year. With “invisible masks” as the theme, it aims to arouse public awareness on HIV transmission and to promote the acceptance of PLHIV. Produced a radio program through the Community Involvement Broadcasting Program of Radio Television Hong Kong introducing AIDS facts and developments to alleviate common misconceptions and misunderstanding. Kicked off the “Giving Love Campaign” in which a year round “Milk Milk Saving Bank” promotion campaign was launched for public to donate their spare changes and show their acceptance and support to people living with HIV/AIDS. Media interviews were conducted at the Day Center including newspaper coverage of a HIV positive mother who gave birth to a HIV free baby and a single father who takes care of his HIV positive son solely for 20 years. The touching stories attracted a lot of positive comments. A NowTV medical documentary covering the late stage of AIDS patients to provide public with better understanding of HIV care service in Hong Kong and the importance of maintaining good health through our holistic care model for our patients. We hoped the Government would expand more resources funding for the direct patient services. Organized school talks on HIV/AIDS to raise students’ concern and awareness

Milestones

2014
- 20th Anniversary of The Society for AIDS Care M.A.C AIDS Fund donated HK$500,000 to support activities of World AIDS Day 2014 Assisted 32 HIV positive mothers to give birth to HIV free babies and maintained 100% success rate Launched the Bread Sharing Program with Foodlink A new mainland-based AIDS children program was launched in collaboration with the Guangxi Center for Disease Prevention and Control. The center mainly takes care of children with AIDS.
2015
- Held the first “Superhero Run” at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Launched the “Red! Yellow! Green! We Grow! Adolescent-oriented Life Skill Education Program for local secondary school students A new program “Male Sexual Health” has been initiated which aim at enhancing awareness on safer sex and cultivate friendly sexual health environment for men having sex with men community. PLHIV Health Survey Press Conference was held to explain the consequences of delayed treatment and an AIDS patient was present to share his painful story of permanent disability due to delayed treatment. Launched the China-HK AIDS Professional Exchange Program Launched the Guangxi Family Trip
2016
- The New Women Phone-in Hotline and Free HIV Testing Service was established. Enquiries are handled by our registered nurses and social workers. Joined the first Asia Pacific AIDS & Co-infections Conference 2016 as supporting organization held in Hong Kong/li>
2017
- • Ms. Clara Ingen-Housz and Mr. Marcel Thoma joined SAC as Board Directors
  • Joined the second Asia Pacific AIDS & Co-infections Conference 2017 in Hong Kong as supporting organization again
  • Launched the donation appeal video for the Sunflower Orphan Centre in Cambodia
  • Launched the newly designed website

Milestones

2018
- Launched Women Phone-in Hotline and Free HIV and Syphilis Testing Service
- Launched the handmade “Kimmy” doll for the Sunflower Orphan Centre in Cambodia, raising fund to supply their daily use
- Joined the third Asia Pacific AIDS & Co-infections Conference 2018 in Hong Kong as supporting organization again

Message from CEO

UNAIDS has just launched a new initiative to highlight the imperative need to treat people with respect and dignity in order to achieve positive social change, including ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. When there is respect and dignity, people are not judged for who they are, where they are born, who they love or who they choose to be. Respect and dignity ensures that people are individuals. They are not defined by their economic, social or HIV status, their actions or their behaviours. When there is respect and dignity, people can thrive! These new initiative echoes one hundred percent of what we are trying to achieve at the SAC since 1994.

At our center, we value about patients under care; our professional team including nurses, social workers, physiotherapist and counselors will always listen to individual needs to map out our care plan accordingly. At our center, there is no stigma and discrimination, the home like environment makes them feel like being at home and wanted. There’s always big laughter’s in our group sessions. The center caters hot soup and lunch weekly and through funding support from various supporters, we have been able providing food support for those who needed most since 2008.

“The reason why I come here regularly is because I feel being respected and loved, I met new friends here and I can share my worries of disclosure and other problems to them freely as we are in the same boat. I used to be very scared; I feel that people see me as a monster and wanted to end my life. I feel alright now, I enjoy attending different activities at the center but I still need more time to disclose to my parents”, one young man shared his feelings with us. Most patients under care feel that they are living a second life and want to live with their disease responsibly as well as take up full time work similar to normal persons.

At our center, we walk along with our patients and offer individual care plan, our experienced nurses ensure patients under care manage to adhere to their antiretroviral therapy. Results from last year showed 93% patients cared by our nurse team achieved undetectable viral load. This is vital in controlling further transmission.

Researchers at the 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) in Amsterdam confirmed the likelihood of anyone living with HIV who has an undetectable viral load passing the virus on to a sexual partner is scientifically equivalent to zero. The encouraging news ascertains our belief on one of our major roles in patient's care.

The third Asia Pacific conference on AIDS and Co-infections was held from 28 to 30 June 2018 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. We are honored to be one of their supporting organizations for the third year. The conference was well attended by global academics, researchers and professionals. A SAC booth was set up to introduce our services. The event provided us good networking opportunity with Scholars and front line workers from the region.

To promote more testing opportunities for women, we continue to provide our unique women phone in and testing program handles by experienced HIV nurse. New syphilis testing was added to the testing program. More media promotions coverage effort was placed last year to provide awareness aiming to promote early testing and early treatment. It is very important that early diagnosis is established so that treatment could be provided to extending life expectancy and curbing the epidemic. The program successfully reached out to 50,000 audiences last year.

In terms of youth education, our team has been very active in education road shows and school education. The mask design contest for schools and public with the theme of ‘Say no to discrimination’ were very well attended last year. More than 2,600 entries were received from secondary school students and public. Many students actively took part in our annual AIDS walk cum mask display and contest award ceremony held at the Peak. The program provided youth good opportunities to learn about HIV and means to protect them.

The Cambodia program is into our second year supporting even bigger number of recipients in Phnom Penh. Assistants were given to children center to affix their much needed clean water well, two group sessions were delivered by SAC staff and rice were given to some poor family households in critical needs. For the coming year, we aim to work with local school to provide programs in prevention of sexual and reproductive health for secondary and high school students.

Our AIDS Walk Committee has raised the most amounts last year. Special tribute to Vivienne Tam who designed our tee for a second consecutive year and all our supporting celebrities/ambassadors and key opinion leaders. The money raised will be used for our direct care service.

We are very thankful and appreciative of all donations received and we always work to be good stewards of your donations. All of this good work cannot be overstated without the generosity from our supporters and volunteers. We look forward to bringing about even greater positive change in the HIV/AIDS community in our coming years.