Adib Noor
The Ministry of Health (MoH) will consider the possibility of the importation and availability of the rapid test kit able to detect HIV similar to the antigen rapid test (ART) kits for COVID-19 infection in the Sultanate.
Minister of Health Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar said this in response to a suggestion by Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Iswandy bin Ahmad on the fifth day of the 18th LegCo session yesterday.
The LegCo member stated that since the start of the second COVID-19 wave and even more so today where ART kits are used to monitor and detect the virus, similar rapid test kits will be able to aid in the early detection of HIV.
The minister shared that the rapid test kits for HIV will be beneficial, thus taken into consideration by the ministry.
“It is a good suggestion and Insya Allah will be implemented. What is important, however, is to establish and plan out a flow of actions to determine the next line of actions to be taken if a person is found positive, how to handle the situation, who they report to and the parties to work with regarding the situation,” said the minister.
The LegCo member said the kit will help with early detection of HIV, especially for people uncomfortable with getting tested at a public health facility.
