Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) observed yesterday the World Aids Day in demonstration of its support for people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes Aids.
World Aids Day is held on December 1 each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with the virus and to commemorate those who have died from Aids.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), HIV continues to be a major global public health problem, having claimed more than 34mn lives since the start of the epidemic. According to WHO, 1.2mn people died in 2014 from HIV-related causes globally.
HMC’s head of Infectious Diseases and AIDS Programme manager, Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, said HIV spreads mainly through physical contact during intercourse or by sharing injection needles with someone who has HIV. “Certain body secretions and breast milk from HIV-infected persons can transmit the virus. These secretions must come in contact with mucous membranes, damaged tissue, or be directly injected into the bloodstream for transmission to possibly occur.”
According to Dr al-Khal, the main mode of HIV transmission in Qatar is through intercourse with HIV-infected persons without knowing that they are infected.
He said despite Qatar having a multi-ethnic and diverse population, HIV incidence in the country has remained relatively low partly due to its National Aids Programme which implements early surveillance and treatment strategies. “As a country committed to the well-being and good health of its population, Qatar has put in place a National Aids Programme focusing on raising awareness of the virus as well as providing comprehensive care to affected individuals residing in the country,” said Dr al-Khal.
He said that under the programme anyone living in Qatar and diagnosed with HIV infection is given the appropriate counseling and the most advanced treatment available. “Once a person is diagnosed with HIV, he/she will be provided with a holistic care to ensure their immunity is preserved and that their condition does not deteriorate into AIDS thus avoiding opportunistic infections and other complications,” explained Dr al-Khal.
Dr al-Khal reiterated that there is no cure for HIV infection. However, effective treatment with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can control the virus so that people with HIV can enjoy healthy and productive lives, and can potentially live their full lives, he added.