IT was a day of celebration and new beginnings for Chiang Ling Woei and Lim Chen Yen as they exchanged vows on this auspicious date – 11.11 – that held extra significance for the couple.
Not only did they mark the start of their lifelong journey together, but they also celebrated Chiang’s 34th birthday, making it a truly memorable occasion.
Today, the couple, among six pairs registering their marriage at the National Registration Department at Bangunan Persekutuan, Anson Road, embodied the theme of love and unity that permeated the ceremony.
“This date is symbolic for us. It is a day of unity and new beginnings, and it holds even more meaning because it is my birthday too. It is a day I will cherish forever,” said Chiang with a wide smile.
In addition to their heartwarming story, the couple stood out for their commitment to health and community awareness.
They were among three couples who opted to participate in a voluntary pre-marriage health screening, called the ‘Pre-Marital Health Screening Programme for Non-Muslim Couples in the Northeast District of Penang’, as part of the George Town Getting to Zero (GTGTZ) programme.
The initiative aims to promote awareness and proactive health measures among couples, ensuring a healthy start to married life.
“We wanted to set a good example for others and take care of each other’s well-being from the start,” said Lim, 27.
The hall was adorned with cheerful décor as families and friends gathered to witness the milestone moments.
The GTGTZ programme, which promotes comprehensive health screenings including blood pressure, diabetes, and HIV screenings, is a proactive initiative that aligns with George Town’s goal of achieving zero new HIV transmissions by 2030. Beyond this vital target, it also cultivates a culture of health awareness and preventive care within the community.
The second and third couples – Navein K. Arasunathan and Tilasini Jagathesan; and Ewe Teik Tong and Ong Siew Chern – also took part in the GTGTZ programme.
Navein said the GTGTZ programme has been highly beneficial.
“When I enquired about the marriage registration process, I was informed about it,” Navein, 32, said.
Tilasini, 29, explained that they decided to register their marriage today (Nov 11) because it aligns with good timing and is considered an auspicious day based on their birth dates.
“It was a happy coincidence that our special date happened to fall on 11.11,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ewe said it is important to understand each other’s health conditions before marriage.
“This helps ensure a healthier start to our journey together,” he added.
Speaking about the event today, northeast district officer Datuk Rosli Hashim, who is also the GTGTZ chairman, said the ‘Pre-Marital Health Screening Programme for Non-Muslim Couples in the Northeast District of Penang’ is a special project under the GTGTZ initiative.
“The special project aims to empower soon-to-be-married couples with crucial health information, supporting efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate HIV infections within the community.
“It strengthens GTGTZ’s mission of achieving zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero stigma and discrimination in George Town’s northeast district by 2030.
“GTGTZ is spearheaded by the Penang Health Department through the northeast district Health Office.
“It involves collaboration among various government agencies at both Federal and state levels, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“This comprehensive ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach is considered a strategic effort to address HIV/AIDS health concerns across all levels of society,” he said.
Today’s special project launch, themed ‘Celebrate Love: Towards Healthy Families”, underscores the importance of increasing awareness among couples about reproductive health and disease prevention before marriage.
Penang National Registration Department director Shah Inor Shahbudin said the pre-marital health screening special project serves as a renewed reminder to the public about the importance of maintaining personal health as a foundation for building healthy families.
“The approach and strategies that are being implemented are truly commendable,” she said.
Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen highlighted the current situation of HIV and AIDS in Malaysia.
“As of the end of last year (2023), it is estimated that 85,283 people are living with HIV (PLHIV) nationwide.
“Of these, only 84% are aware of their status and are recorded in the surveillance system, and 68% are receiving antiretroviral treatment.
“In 2023 alone, Malaysia recorded 3,220 new HIV infections, with Penang registering 256 new cases, making it the fourth-highest state after Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Sabah. Alarmingly, 79% of new infections in 2023 involved young individuals aged 13 to 39 years,” he said.
Gooi added that the pre-marital health screening effort plays a crucial role, as early detection through screening can help prevent new infections and raise awareness among couples before they start their families.
“The pre-marital health screening programme not only focuses on early detection of HIV but also helps couples and the community better understand their overall health status.
“In addition to retrovirus testing, pre-marital screenings offered at government health clinics in the northeast district include blood sugar level and blood pressure checks.
“This allows for the early detection of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, enabling timely interventions and treatment.
“By doing so, the programme contributes to improving public health standards and ensuring community well-being, particularly in the area of healthy family planning,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Siew Chia En