Kuwait launches awareness ceremony on World AIDS Day
The office of immune deficiency syndrome, affiliated to Kuwaiti Ministry of Health’s public health sector, launched on Friday a three-day awareness ceremony at the Avenues on World AIDS Day.
The move aims to raise awareness on this disease and viral infections as well as show international solidarity to combat acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Following opening the ceremony under the auspices of, and in the presence of, Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi, head of the office Dr. Sarah Al-Qabandi said the ministry seeks to shed light on the risks of this disease, and ways of prevention, and treatment, from it.
The office is paying much attention to AIDS, set operational policies and coordinate with relevant bodies, she noted. Treatment from this virus is free for citizens, she added, stating that Kuwait is one of the advanced countries in combating this disease and offering healthcare.
AIDS has become a controllable disease and the ministry is keen on providing effective medicine, she pointed out. There were about 39.9 million people living with HIV at the end of 2023.
In 2023, an estimated 630 000 people died from HIV-related causes and an estimated 1.3 million people acquired HIV, she said, citing WHO statistics. (KUNA)
