92 HIV/AIDS cases registered in Jordan last year

AMMAN — Ninety-two HIV/AIDS cases were registered in Jordan last year, 22 of which were among Jordanians, according to a Health Ministry official.

Asaad Rahhal, head of the National HIV/AIDS Programme at the ministry, said 813 HIV/AIDS cases have been detected in the country since the discovery of the first case in 1986.

Of the 305 Jordanians diagnosed with the disease, 113 have died and 192 are alive, Rahhal added. He noted that 64 of the Jordanian patients contracted the disease through blood transfusion, mostly outside Jordan, explaining that since the early 1990s donated blood is tested for communicable diseases.

Foreigners who test positive for HIV/AIDS are sent back to their countries, according to the official, who said the ministry covers the medication required for Jordanians regardless of the cost.

Although the programme has not been receiving any funds since Jordan was recently classified as an upper- middle-class country, treatment expenses are covered from the ministry’s budget.

The government is responsible for Jordanians with HIV/AIDS in terms of medical care and medication costs, which stand at JD250 per month for each patient, Rahhal said.

In 2010, the government modified health insurance regulations, entitling foreigners infected with HIV/AIDS who are married to Jordanians to free medication.