Call to combat HIV virus after steep rise in cases

Muscat:  Although the number of HIV/Aids cases in Oman remains low, the country last year recorded the most new cases since 1995.

"This past year alone, 116 new cases of HIV infections were reported by the Ministry of Health [MoH], which makes it the highest annual number reported since 1995," said Dr Jihane Tawilah, World Health Organisation representative in Oman, during a function to mark the World Aids Day at the Oman College of Law.

The WHO representative pointed out that Oman had made a commitment to the Millennium Development Goals in 2000 to halt the spread of the disease and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/Aids by 2015. "We are now only five years away [from the deadline] and far from reaching a halt. The number of newly-reported cases of HIV has increased in Oman by 38 per cent since 2000," said Dr Tawilah.

"More than half of the people living with HIV in Oman are those aged 20-35 years. It is likely they were infected much earlier, meaning that risky behaviour starts early. This also is not new information. We know what must be done to protect our youth, so let us do it," he said.

Dr Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Saidi, the Health Ministry's Undersecretary for Health Affairs, in his speech warned against complacency although the rate of HIV/Aids cases in Oman was low.

"Although the infection rates in the country are still low, this should not be a cause for complacency at local level nor at international level," he said.

"The first HIV case was reported in the country way back in 1984 and since then the cumulative number, at the end of last month, has reached nearly 1,300 infected residents in Oman," the official said.

According to Dr Al Saidi, The National Programme for Combating Aids, started in 1987, was aimed at raising awareness and enhancing international cooperation for prevention.

Zahir Bin Abdullah Al Abri, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Justice, commended the Health Ministry's efforts in combating the Aids. "The Sultanate has been transparent in tackling Aids, as it had revealed information which was not being revealed by other countries, suggesting, thereby, it's seriousness to tackle the disease," he said.