Abdul Latheef
Interim Health Minister and Minister for Defense, Colonel Retired Mohamed Nazim has called for all Maldivian nationals to get checked for HIV.
Minister Nazim made this statement in the occasion of commemorating International AIDS Day at the Jumhooree Maidhaan yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Minister Nazim stated that while determining HIV can only be done by taking blood tests- they have opened the opportunity for all individuals to take the test at their own will.
Minister Nazim stated that although in the past Maldivians had been contaminated by traveling overseas, today Maldivians are being infected within the country as well. The Health Minister stated that this informs us that the virus is spreading in our country, where in some cases- victims are unaware that they are positive.
The Minister stated that by realising and considering the gravity of the issue, they had commenced a campaign yesterday under the slogan – 'Get tested and be sure'. Additionally, Minister Nazim stated that from here onward, every December will be dedicated to 'HIV awareness and testing' by holding programs related the issue.
“Under our project, we have established means for all all hospitals and health centres in Male' and in the atolls to provide that service. My aim is to make every Maldivian citizen one who has awareness of HIV and adapts a lifestyle safeguarding them from such diseases. With Gods will, I hope to make every Maldivian an individual conscious on the subject,” stated Minister Nazim.
Minister Nazim stated that while the government of Maldives had taken crucial steps as means of ensuring that the rate of HIV patients in the country keeps at low, their aim is to maintain that it remains low.
“As a means of battling the issue, President Yameen Abdul Gayoom has inaugurated a “National AIDS Council. Under the consultancy of this Council, Health Protection Agency (HPA) has been protecting citizens and offering their services to patients continuously without a break. Furthermore, its a free service by the government. What the government wants to do is to take effective measures to stop the spread of the virus. We have therefore initiated a strategic plan for every five years, whereby we will abiding according to the plan for those five years,” stated the Minister.
Minister Nazim noted that they will be launching their five year plan- 'National Strategic Plan on HIV' this month whereby they will proceed according to the plan.