Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem has called for better coordination among relevant institutions and authorities in the fight against HIV AIDS.
Speaking on the occasion of World AIDS Day, Health Minister Naseem noted actions which can lead to HIV AIDS are commonly found in the Maldives as well. Therefore, he said it is very important that relevant authorities coordinate together in raising public awareness on AIDS and eliminating the risk of HIV transmission.
The health minister noted the Maldives has a policy where anybody who wishes to get tested for HIV can request for the test through a healthcare facility or a civil organisation that provides the service. The minister acknowledged and appreciated the efforts of civil organisations and NGOs that provide the service of HIV testing, and encouraged them to carry on. He also called on the public to get tested and confirm whether the virus is present or not.
The health minister also highlighted the importance of eliminating social discrimination against HIV patients. He said global efforts to diagnose and treat HIV AIDS have a special priority on reducing the stress and suffering of affected families. Therefore, he expressed the importance of conveying the right information to the public regarding the disease.
The health minister went on to highlight that the Maldives has been certified by World Health Organisation (WHO) as a country that has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and Syphilis. He noted it is very important that all relevant authorities work together to ensure this certification can be maintained.
World AIDS Day is marked annually on December 1. The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility.