Physicians and labs must report hepatitis B or C and AIDS cases to the Health Ministry

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 11: The Ministry of Health has issued a new directive mandating the reporting of cases involving contagious diseases. The circular, which targets assistant undersecretaries, directors of health regions, hospitals, health centers, central departments, and heads of medical bodies, underscores the need for prompt reporting of individuals infected with or suspected of having contagious diseases.

The circular reinforces the requirements of Law No. 8 of 1969, which aims to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. According to Article 2 of the law, "If a person is infected or suspected of being infected with a communicable disease, he must be reported within 24 hours to the nearest preventive health center." Article 3 specifies that the responsibility for this report falls on "the doctor who examined the patient."

Additionally, the circular obligates all treating physicians, whether in hospitals, health centers, or the private sector, to report cases of hepatitis B or C, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and other reportable diseases using an infectious disease report form. These reports must be submitted to the nearest preventive health center to mitigate legal risks.

The Ministry also requires all virus laboratories to submit weekly reports detailing laboratory-discovered cases of hepatitis B and C to the email address [email protected]. Reports on cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome should be sent to the email address [email protected].