KUWAIT, Feb 24 (KUNA) -- Health Minister Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi on Tuesday issued a decision mandating HIV testing as a basic health requirement at rehabilitation and addiction treatment centers in both public and private sectors.
The Health Ministry said in a statement the move aims to strengthen prevention and early detection among high-risk groups, citing increased infection risks linked to needle sharing and unsafe practices.
The decision requires all rehabilitation and addiction treatment centers to conduct HIV laboratory tests for patients upon opening a new medical file, with annual retesting throughout treatment or follow-up.
Testing must be carried out at accredited virology laboratories of the Health Ministry to ensure accuracy and compliance with approved technical standards.
The decision also obliges physicians in both sectors to immediately report confirmed cases in line with regulations governing notifiable diseases to reinforce public health surveillance.
The ministry affirmed that early detection and regular treatment can reduce transmission, protecting both patients and the wider community. (end) mnm.aai