ID :
32483
Wed, 11/26/2008 - 14:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/32483
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MoH marks World AIDS Day
Abu Dhabi, Nov 26, 2008 (WAM) - Minister of Health, Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al-Qattami, has said that the UAE is one of the leading countries which took the bull by the horn early in the fight against the HIV-AIDS pandemic by taking stringent measures based on the international strategy to fight the menace.
Al-Qattami made the remark in his address to inaugurate the activities marking the World AIDS Day. "Leadership" is the theme for 2008 World AIDS Day on Monday, December 1 which urges governments to keep the commitments they have made to fight the deadly disease.
The inauguration ceremony attracted a number of dignitaries, including MoH Assistant Under Secretary, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, who is also the Director of the Sharjah Medical Zone, and other senior officials.
In a keynote address, Al-Qattami said the UAE's Anti-HIV-AIDS programme has received great support from the leadership. The support, he added, served as a big impetus for sustained efforts to boost the programme to achieve the targeted objectives.
He said the World Health Organisation report shows that the number of infection worldwide is over 40 million while 25 million have been killed by the virus since its appearance more than two decades ago, adding that 7000 people are being infected daily.
He noted that the rate of infection in the UAE is very low compared to the world rate. He said only 35 new cases were recorded by the end of 2007, including 29 males and six females, all of them from the 25year-old and above category, adding that the overall infection in the country was 540 cases, which are being dealt with in full confidentiality, while infected expatriates are being promptly deported to their countries as part of precautionary measures for special cases like this one.
Al-Qattami made the remark in his address to inaugurate the activities marking the World AIDS Day. "Leadership" is the theme for 2008 World AIDS Day on Monday, December 1 which urges governments to keep the commitments they have made to fight the deadly disease.
The inauguration ceremony attracted a number of dignitaries, including MoH Assistant Under Secretary, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, who is also the Director of the Sharjah Medical Zone, and other senior officials.
In a keynote address, Al-Qattami said the UAE's Anti-HIV-AIDS programme has received great support from the leadership. The support, he added, served as a big impetus for sustained efforts to boost the programme to achieve the targeted objectives.
He said the World Health Organisation report shows that the number of infection worldwide is over 40 million while 25 million have been killed by the virus since its appearance more than two decades ago, adding that 7000 people are being infected daily.
He noted that the rate of infection in the UAE is very low compared to the world rate. He said only 35 new cases were recorded by the end of 2007, including 29 males and six females, all of them from the 25year-old and above category, adding that the overall infection in the country was 540 cases, which are being dealt with in full confidentiality, while infected expatriates are being promptly deported to their countries as part of precautionary measures for special cases like this one.
