KUWAIT: Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at Jahra Hospital (Communicable Diseases), Dr Osama Al-Baqasmi, said that the Kuwait Annual Conference on AIDS and Venereal Diseases will begin Monday. The conference will shed light on the latest methods of diagnosis and treatment. The conference lasts for two days.

Al-Baqsami said that the conference, which is being held under the patronage of the Minister of Health, Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi, features 12 scientific lectures presented by four visiting consultant doctors from outside Kuwait, in addition to local contributions that highlight AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and the latest methods of diagnosis, treatment, and special vaccinations.

He explained that the conference aims to limit the transmission of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, reveal the latest diagnostic methods, educate doctors about the nature of these diseases, educate the medical staff about the latest treatment methods and how to deal with them, and introduce them to the means of reducing their transmission.

He added that the conference’s message is to educate the medical staff about the nature of the disease. He pointed out that there are 39 million people infected with AIDS in the world, 21 million of whom are undergoing treatment, while the number of infected people in the Middle East region is 190,000, pointing out that the United Nations Joint Commission on AIDS publishes an annual report on countries’ performance in several indicators.

He stressed that Kuwait provides treatment according to the latest medical protocols and conducts AIDS screening at multiple stages and points, including examining all blood donors to the blood bank and a mandatory medical examination before marriage and in pregnant women’s clinics and transmitted disease clinics. He said that one of the achievements achieved by Kuwait is that it has become possible for a woman infected with the AIDS virus, who is committed to treatment, to become pregnant naturally after six months of taking treatment, and then give birth to healthy, uninfected children without the need for a cesarean section.

He explained that one of the medical achievements in this field is that after six months have passed since the infected man has committed to treatment, he can lead a normal marital life with his uninfected wife without exposing her to the risk of infection. She can become pregnant naturally and give birth to healthy children, he said.

The age of the patient who is committed to treatment is very close to the average lifespan in society, and he is expected to live in health and well-being for many decades, provided that he adheres to treatment.

He pointed out that it is easy to take one pill a day, and its complications are almost negligible. The majority of patients do not have any side complications. He stressed that the patient who does not adhere to treatment is vulnerable to severe immune deficiency and recurrent infections that may threaten his life. So it is very important to know that adherence to treatment is extremely important, he pointed out. —KUNA