UAE | Health
Clinic finds patient has Aids after treatment
The patient, a UAE national, had scaling done and a tooth extracted at the clinic before being referred to a government hospital where a doctor accidentally discovered that he had Aids.
A dental clinic in Sharjah hit the panic button after doctors discovered that one of their patients has Aids.
Speaking to Gulf News, a dentist, on condition of anonymity, said: "I have been treating this patient for years and he never told me that he has Aids."
The patient, a UAE national, had scaling done and a tooth extracted at the clinic before being referred to a government hospital where a doctor accidentally discovered that he had Aids.
"We were alerted by the doctor at the government hospital and as a precautionary measure advised us to undergo medical check-ups." The doctors at the dental clinic are worried about others who were treated after the Aids patient.
"Aids patients entail certain precautions. They are usually the last ones treated and we don't use the equipment used on them on other patients. We must leave at least a 24-hour gap before using the equipment on another patient."
The doctor added: "We have another patient who also has Aids but we were alerted before hand. But this specific patient never told us although we have been treating him for years. We were suspicious since medications did not work on him."
Dr Jamil Tourky, head of preventive medicine at the Sharjah Medical District, said patients are not obliged to reveal that they have Aids. "But it is the conscientious thing to do," he said.
He said HIV patients are considered to be high risk and there are certain mandatory precautions taken while treating them.
Rarely 'do people admit they have the virus'
Dr Jamil Tourky, head of preventive medicine at the Sharjah Medical District, said very rarely do people admit that they have Aids because expatriates are afraid of being deported and nationals are afraid that they will lose their jobs.
He said people with Aids must be fully integrated into society.
"It is discrimination when you fire them from their jobs and when you isolate them," he said. "Aids is not a stigma and we should not discriminate against people who have the disease. There is a misunderstanding that the disease can be transmitted by shaking hands or through the air," he said.
He said all dental clinics should follow standard precautions. "The clinic should deal with every patient as if they have Aids or hepatitis. They should follow the same precautions with every patient whether they have Aids or not."
Latest news
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- UAE's first home-grown unmanned aerial vehicle
- Telling stories with sand
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
- Fund drive for displaced Syrians launched
- FNC has kept pace with development — Al Murr
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk






