International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Authorities in Qatar are taking steps to stop HIV being transmitted from a pregnant woman to their baby.

According to the Hamad Medical Corporation, women who carry the virus can have uninfected babies as long as they undergo the necessary treatment, the Gulf Times reports.

Therefore, females across the country are to be offered the opportunity to undergo voluntary counselling and testing for HIV as part of their antenatal care.

Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, part of the group's Clinical Aid Programme, commented: "We will ensure patients are duly counselled and informed about the virus, its impact on their babies and their own health, before attempting to test them."

He insisted that undergoing the test would also be beneficial for the partner of the pregnant woman, as well as other family members.

Dr Al-Khal added that the testing regime should "hopefully" be in place within the next few months at primary healthcare centres across Qatar.

Posted by Alexandra George