The Ministry of Health (MoH) has said that people can approach voluntary counselling and testing centres to conduct blood tests for HIV/Aids.
It said that these centres will not reveal the identity of the person who was examined or registered the details in the health records.
These centres will provide necessary education for people who are most vulnerable to infections and methods of transmission of the virus and how to treat it.
The ministry said that the examination will be free, and details can be obtained by calling 24441999.
Oman has reported an alarming rise in the number of patients infected with HIV, with eight cases reported each week, local media reports.
According to a recent report quoting Jalila Al-Noamaniya, Senior Infectious Diseases Nurse at the Royal Hospital, over 3,580 HIV cases were recorded last year.
She said hat the sultanate has reported an increase in the number of infections, with cases having increased since 2010 by more than 41 percent, largely due to a lack of awareness.
She also added that some cases included those who were assaulted.
Meanwhile, for more than three years, Oman has not recorded transmission of Aids to children through their mothers, this was revealed at a special event at Al Bustan Palace Hotel.
INTEGRATED WORK
Dr Badr bin Saif al Rawahi, Director-General of Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, said, “This achievement was a result of an integrated and continuous work for years and is considered the first at the level of the Eastern Mediterranean Region.”
Dr. Ahmed bin Salim al Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, said, “Most importantly we now have new generations that are born without the stigma of having been infected with HIV. With this, the elimination of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV by 2030 is possible. The Sultanate has to be praised for its commitment to WHO suggestions.”
Health expert, Dr. Shereen al Feki, UNAIDS regional director, said that Oman achieved this cooperation with the private sector.
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