Free Hiv Screening For All Pregnant Women Soon

Fifteen new cases of HIV/Aids were detected in Qatar last year, taking the total cases in the country to 276, an expert at the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) disclosed at the seminar that marked World Aids Day. Speakers stressed the importance of HIV screening for pregnant women to prevent transmission of the disease to newborns. The event for doctors was organised by Hamad Medical Corporations (HMC) Infectious Disease Department in collaboration with SCH. HIV transmission appears to be very limited in Qatar with a low HIV prevalence rate of 0.02 percent, said Dr Al Mubasher Abu Baker from SCH. A total of 276 HIV cases have been recorded in Qatar with 15 new cases last year, he added. The national response to HIV screening supports World Health Organisations slogan Treat More Treat Better. Among other preventive measures SCH and HMC have jointly agreed upon is free HIV screening for pregnant women at the Womens Hospital, said Abu Baker. Dr Hussam Al Soub, Senior Consultant for Infectious Disease at HMC, advised all pregnant women to undergo HIV screening because the greater the percentage of women tested means the more are treated and fewer infected infants among the population. If we have to target the infection strategically we have to target prevention at different stages of pregnancy; before delivery, during delivery, and post-delivery, he added. You will find the original content at this website http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/qatar/263802/free-hiv-screening-for-all-p...
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