Muscat: Twenty-six people have died of Aids in Oman so far, including nine in 2009, according to the Annual Health Report (AHR) by Oman's Ministry of Health (MoH).

Until 2009, MoH registered 1,376 cases of Omanis living with the HIV/Aids virus.

"There has been a slight increase in the annual rate of incidents of Omanis diagnosed with HIV/Aids in MoH's registry from 116 in 2009 to the current figure of about 125 this year," Dr Ali Ahmad Salim Ba Omar, Head of HIV/Aids Section, MoH, told the government-owned English daily Oman Daily Observer.

According to him, the slight increase in the rate of HIV/Aids patients was not a concern for the MoH.

"Instead, we consider it a positive trend as a result of the Let's Talk Aids awareness campaign to break the barrier of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/Aids in the country," Dr Ba Omar said.

"The increase is considered a positive trend in the fight against the stigma and discrimination associated with the disease due to the enhancement of health education activities at all levels," he added.

"The increase is also due to the medical protocols of confidentiality of the results of tests and treatments and the use of records only for management purposes," he added.

"The rise is also attributed to the availability and accessibility of health services and treatments in health institutions, which have encouraged individuals to voluntarily seek care to test and to know their HIV status," he added.

He also said that World Aids Day (WAD) will be observed in Oman on December 20-21. The activities will be held under the WAD's theme ‘I Live my Rights, I Respect other People's Rights' with emphasis on providing access by all to HIV prevention, treatment and care as a critical part of human rights.

As part of this year's central concern for the global HIV response, the global community will focus attention on protecting human rights of all people affected by HIV.

He said that a series of activities would be held to mark WAD. There will be a walkathon from the InterContinental Hotel to Qurum Natural Park and a two-day exhibition of products and sports activities like a skilled bicycle show and free style.