Qatar marks World Aids Day

As the world commemorates World Aids Day, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) is calling on people from all walks of life to learn more about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and Aids (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and how it can be stopped.World Aids Day, marked on December 1 since 1988, is an international event dedicated to raising awareness of the Aids pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.According to Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, deputy chief medical officer and head of infectious diseases at the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), HIV is a transmittable disease that can be easily diagnosed and effectively treated."Early HIV testing early treatment are the key requirements for an effective response to end HIV and Aids,” he said. "The earlier HIV is diagnosed, the better the outcome of the treatment.”"People infected with HIV who start treatment early can expect to live a full healthy life. Through education within our communities and awareness it is possible end this epidemic,” said Dr al-Khal.People who are receiving treatment do not transmit the virus to others.In addition, those who are at risk of HIV infection can protect themselves by taking preventative treatment available at the Communicable Disease Centre at the HMC.Dr Hamad Eid al-Romaihi, director of the MoPH’s Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Department, said that Qatar has put in place a National Aids Programme focused on raising awareness of the causative virus as well as providing comprehensive care to affected individuals."The Ministry of Public Health and our healthcare partners are committed to spreading awareness about HIV and Aids,” he said. "This means enhancing our efforts to educate the community about risks, how the virus is transmitted, and how they can be tested.”This year’s World Aids Day theme is 'Let Communities Lead'.Organisations of communities living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV will be at the frontline of progress in the HIV response.According to the 2023 UNAIDS Global Aids update, when countries have strong political commitment to ensure that people are placed first, while investing in proven strategies, breakthroughs in ending HIV/Aids become evident.In accordance with this, strong political will in Qatar has allowed to prioritise projects for prevention and control of HIV/Aids, like the Communicable Disease Research Prioritisation Project in which HIV/Aids is a prime focus.