Jeddah has the most recorded cases of AIDS in the Kingdom, at 39 percent in 2009, according to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Health. Jeddah is followed by Riyadh, Makkah, Jizan and Dammam.
Dr. Sana Filimban, Director General of the Ministry of Health’s AIDS Program, said there are 15,213 AIDS patients in the Kingdom – 4,019 are Saudis and 11,194 expatriates.
In 2009, there were 1,287 cases recorded, consisting of 481 Saudis and 806 expatriates.
The ministry has a number of activities organized around World AIDS Day to create awareness, in coordination with the ministries of Information and Culture, Education, Islamic Affairs, and General Presidency of Youth Welfare.
The theme for this year’s annual World AIDS Day is, “Universal Access & Human Rights”.
Filimban said that the programs included voluntary testing, treating the dangerous behaviors of patients, and preventing mother-to-child transmission.
There are also activities on ensuring the continued screening of foreign workers entering the Kingdom.
On the treatment side, the country has established eight specialist AIDS centers. Each center is equipped with the latest detection devices and medicine.
The ministry provides free full treatment, including regular checkups. “We are working on organizing a scientific forum in the coming month to discuss the most recent ways of treating AIDS, with the participation of international experts from the United States and Brazil,” said Filimban.
Saudi Gazette