Aids

While there is no HIV/AIDS epidemic in Jordan, where only a handful of cases has been reported since the beginning of this year, the disease still assumes worrisome proportions worldwide.
Jordan, with the rest of the international community, has just marked the World Aids Day, signalling a commitment to join forces in the fight against the disease.

With travel - for business or tourism purpose - on the rise, no country is an island anymore, absolutely immune to the disease. That is why all nations must be on guard to prevent the spread of the disease, and that can be done foremost through educating the population about it.

According to Ministry of Health records, about 773 people tested positive with HIV/AIDS in the Kingdom since 1986; of these, 227 were Jordanians. Yet, in spite of the fact that this health problem is relatively under control, raising awareness about this major health hazard should remain a high priority. For Jordan as well as for the world community.

This means that we must not lower our guard, but be vigilant, lest the disease should assume endemic proportion.

Acquiring HIV is costly, both in terms of treatment and in loss of life, so as the old adage says, prevention is better than the cure.

Authorities are embarking on drafting a new five-year strategy to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country. Part of it should put the stress on school education. Children quite young need to know about this threat if we wish the society to be healthy and aware.