39 contracted AIDS since discovery in Maldives 31 years ago
Maldives has eradicated transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to child in the womb; it was accomplished in 2019.
By
Aminath Shifleen
Health Protection Agency (HPA) on Thursday revealed that 39 people have been infected with AIDS since it was first detected in the Maldives 31 years ago.
December 1 is celebrated as International AIDS Day every year and on this day, HPA released some information related to the disease.
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AIDS was first detected in the country in 1991
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At the end of last year, the number of cases had risen to 39
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Last year, two persons contracted the disease
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The infected include six women and 33 men
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So far, 15 people have succumbed to the disease
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As many as 22 people are undergoing treatment
This disease caused by the HIV virus destroys a person's immune system and makes the body vulnerable to other diseases. The authorities have been carrying out a number of programmes to prevent the disease, which is incurable globally.
In addition to what can be done to prevent AIDS, the next focus should be on testing. The theme for this year's AIDS Day is 'Make regular testing a habit to prevent HIV'.
According to HPA, a healthy person can also have the HIV virus inside the body. Testing is important to prevent him from spreading the disease to another person.
How the disease spreads
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Unprotected sex
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From sharing intravenous needles such as drug injections, for body piercings or tattoos
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Via the HIV-infected mother, during pregnancy, through breastfeeding or during delivery
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Doing blood transfusions without testing to check for HIV presence
Testing for HIV is conducted through various health procedures in the country. It is usually tested for the virus during pregnancy and before general surgeries, before blood transfusion, and in the medical assessment of foreign workers.
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It's important to get tested for HIV as soon as possible once pregnant, so that if the mother has the virus in her body, the child will be protected from the disease by treatment
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Maldives has eradicated transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to child in the womb; it was accomplished in 2019
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Any hospital in the country can test for HIV
What is the treatment?
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is defined as the treatment for HIV. Through the National AIDS Programme, the treatment has been provided in the country since 2004.
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Early diagnosis and regular use of medication can reduce the level of HIV virus in blood
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The medication protects the immune system and maintains good health for a long time
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It also reduces the likelihood of transmission from the patient to others
This year, AIDS Day will be celebrated in G.A atoll. The activities will continue from 5-12 December.
