April 20, 2004

Jordan Times

No Lowering of the Guard

Editorial

The 11th Dead Sea Ultra Marathon on Friday brought home a clear message about the dangers and impact of HIV/AIDS on the health and safety of Jordanians and non-Jordanians alike and the devastating effect that it could pose to the national economy.
This warning was carried by some 500 children who took part in the national efforts to promote the UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), that was organised by the Society for the Care of Neurological Patients, the Jordan Athletic Federation and the Amman Road Runners.

The theme of the marathon — "low prevalence does not mean we are safe" — was apt enough and to the point. It is telling us that we cannot relax our efforts in the fight against this disease.

The existing reported low rate of HIV/AIDS in Jordan and in the rest of the region does not mean that we can neglect the threat of this disease to health and development. Experts have expressed concern that the recorded data either does not tell the whole story or does not reflect the actual extent of the epidemic.

We cannot bury our heads in the sand for fear that predicted rates may paint a more horrifying picture about dramatic increases in the rate of people affected by the disease either locally or regionally.

Jordan appears to have taken the threat seriously and has in place various centres for the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients. Official statistics show that Jordan has only 335 reported cases among citizens and foreign residents. Foreign workers in the Kingdom are required to undergo annual medical examinations. But with predictions of increased tourism (both into and out of the country), there is no substitute for increased awareness campaigns that teach the public about the disease, how it can be transmitted, how it is not transmitted, and how to practise healthy lifestyle.

Equally important, such a public service drive must teach compassion for those who are afflicted. As health authorities are in the practice of medically screening couples planning to marry on a variety of diseases, the screening should include HIV/AIDS testing as well. As the UNAIDS aims to do, silence on HIV/AIDS must be broken by all available means, while making available and affordable effective medicine to treat patients.