Cultural stereotypes and stigma should not influence the treatment or management of patients diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), a top Bahraini doctor said.
Infectious diseases senior consultant and Arabian Gulf University associate professor Dr Jameela Al Salman urged healthcare professionals to focus on effective communication to ensure patients receive proper support without fear of judgement.
“As healthcare workers, we are really bad at communicating, and we need to be trained better on it, especially when we are dealing with patients who are being diagnosed with STDs,” she explained.
“Unfortunately, no one wants to talk about these issues here. And, when you look at the statistics, most regions were able to decrease the numbers of people living with HIV, but in the Middle East, the numbers are rising.”
According to a 2023 report by UNAIDS there has been a staggering 116 per cent increase in infections in the region between 2010 and 2023, compared to a 39pc fall globally in the same period. The Middle East and North Africa region is estimated to have 210,000 patients.
“This increase is attributed to poor communication, inadequate protocols and the inability to openly discuss these critical issues,” Dr Al Salman said, adding that while the region’s religious and cultural beliefs should be respected, personal beliefs should not influence the way doctors treat patients with an STD. “There is a strong stigma surrounding these patients, which often makes it difficult for them to seek treatment.
“One of my patients once shared a negative experience at a pharmacy while collecting their medication. They told me they could see the expression in the pharmacists eyes the moment they realised what the prescription was for.”
Dr Al Salman raised her concerns during the recent eighth Bahrain, Dermatology, Laser and Aesthetics Conference and Exhibition (BDLA8 2025) held at Radisson Blu Diplomat Hotel Residence and Spa, Manama.
She noted that 50pc of the communication between a doctor and patient is non-verbal and urged professionals to maintain a ‘neutral expression’ during consultations. “Once patients come to us, we end up treating the patient for a range of medical issues such as their diabetes or hypertension, because they feel too embarrassed to see any other doctor. Bahrain is small and people talk.
“Let them feel safe enough to tell you about their lives so you can educate them on how not to get infected again. This is where the training comes in, and doctors need to have the skills to be able to talk to patients effectively. Don’t judge or stereotype. I know it is hard, but with training we can get better and we can work to lower these numbers in the region,” she added.
According to a 2023 report by UNAIDS, around 40 million people worldwide live with HIV.
Although there are no official numbers for Bahrain, according to limited data quoted in a study last year, Bahrain recorded 237, 548 and 244 cases of HIV/Aids in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.
The study, entitled ‘Understanding the landscape of HIV/Aids in Bahrain: Prevalence, trends and public health implications’, also pointed out between 1986 and 1996, Bahrain identified a total of 378 HIV cases with 51pc of these cases found to be among foreign nationals.
Bahrain has strict laws to protect the rights of people with HIV.
The 2017 Aids Protection Law stipulates that those who discriminate against HIV patients could face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to BD500, while those who mistreat HIV patients would face the same jail term and fines of up to BD5,000.
Currently, HIV tests are carried on couples planning to get married, expatriates seeking employment and those arrested for drug and sex-related crimes.
The law further gives protection to Bahrainis who cannot lose their job if their HIV-positive status is made public.
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