221 new HIV cases in 2023, social stigma remains obstacle
Published: 06:06 AM,Jun 25,2024 | EDITED : 09:06 PM,Jun 26,2024
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman reported 221 new cases of HIV infections in 2023, which included 54 women, bringing the number of those infected and living with the disease to 2,339 in the Sultanate of Oman.
In an interview with the Oman newspaper, Dr. Zayana bint Khalfan al Habsia, head of the Department of Immunodeficiency and Sexually Transmitted Infections at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that stigma and discrimination constitute a major obstacle to healthcare services, exposing those infected to the danger of making their situation worse.
She said that sexual relationships are the main cause in 70% of total cases, followed by those related to the sharing of narcotic drugs and mother-to-child transmission. No cases due to blood transfusions have been recorded in the Sultanate.
Dr. Zayana said that pre-marital examination is a requirement of society and has been applied in most neighboring countries, and the issue is still under discussion in the Ministry of Health (MOH).
MOH provides free testing for all segments of society in complete confidentiality, but it is not compulsory, and it is also provided to pregnant mothers to detect AIDS.
However, there is a period during which the person’s infection with the virus does not appear, so the mother may be a carrier of the virus and the condition does not appear initially.
As for the protocols for treating people with AIDS, Dr. Zayana said, 'The medications used to treat patients are among the latest available globally, are given to the patient according to a specific protocol, and are developed and updated locally to include the best advanced treatments and the latest medications used globally. It prevents the spread of the virus to other members of society and has a positive effect on the patient himself, as the patient uses antiretroviral medications to control the infection and spread of the virus, According to scientific evidence, it reduces the rate of the virus to zero, and this in itself makes the virus not sexually transmitted.'
She explained that early diagnosis is important for controlling the virus early and conducting the necessary tests so that the treatment is better. The first line of treatment protocols has a better effect on the patient, and the earlier the detection is, the more effective the therapeutic results are.
Treatments have a role in the decline in the deaths of AIDS patients, which was 28 deaths last year from over hundreds in the past.
'There are cases where patients refuse treatment, and the reason is due to a lack of acceptance of the disease or their fear of social stigma, but the specialized medical staff communicate continuously with these patients. Those who default on treatment and convince them of the importance of treatment. Because if it is neglected, it may pose a danger to society and be a carrier of the virus, and it may be transmitted to the other party, whether the husband or wife. Therefore, the other party must be informed from the beginning of knowledge of the infection, and the team may legally intervene in informing the partner to protect the party from the possibility of transmitting the virus and causing harm and danger to others.
Report by Ohood al Jilaniyya and Laila al Hasaniyya in Oman Arabic newspaper
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In an interview with the Oman newspaper, Dr. Zayana bint Khalfan al Habsia, head of the Department of Immunodeficiency and Sexually Transmitted Infections at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that stigma and discrimination constitute a major obstacle to healthcare services, exposing those infected to the danger of making their situation worse.
She said that sexual relationships are the main cause in 70% of total cases, followed by those related to the sharing of narcotic drugs and mother-to-child transmission. No cases due to blood transfusions have been recorded in the Sultanate.
Dr. Zayana said that pre-marital examination is a requirement of society and has been applied in most neighboring countries, and the issue is still under discussion in the Ministry of Health (MOH).
MOH provides free testing for all segments of society in complete confidentiality, but it is not compulsory, and it is also provided to pregnant mothers to detect AIDS.
However, there is a period during which the person’s infection with the virus does not appear, so the mother may be a carrier of the virus and the condition does not appear initially.
As for the protocols for treating people with AIDS, Dr. Zayana said, 'The medications used to treat patients are among the latest available globally, are given to the patient according to a specific protocol, and are developed and updated locally to include the best advanced treatments and the latest medications used globally. It prevents the spread of the virus to other members of society and has a positive effect on the patient himself, as the patient uses antiretroviral medications to control the infection and spread of the virus, According to scientific evidence, it reduces the rate of the virus to zero, and this in itself makes the virus not sexually transmitted.'
She explained that early diagnosis is important for controlling the virus early and conducting the necessary tests so that the treatment is better. The first line of treatment protocols has a better effect on the patient, and the earlier the detection is, the more effective the therapeutic results are.
Treatments have a role in the decline in the deaths of AIDS patients, which was 28 deaths last year from over hundreds in the past.
'There are cases where patients refuse treatment, and the reason is due to a lack of acceptance of the disease or their fear of social stigma, but the specialized medical staff communicate continuously with these patients. Those who default on treatment and convince them of the importance of treatment. Because if it is neglected, it may pose a danger to society and be a carrier of the virus, and it may be transmitted to the other party, whether the husband or wife. Therefore, the other party must be informed from the beginning of knowledge of the infection, and the team may legally intervene in informing the partner to protect the party from the possibility of transmitting the virus and causing harm and danger to others.
Report by Ohood al Jilaniyya and Laila al Hasaniyya in Oman Arabic newspaper
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