272 AIDS cases in Jordan since 1986

Up to 272 AIDS cases were diagnosed in Jordan in the 1986-2001 period, including 118 Jordanians, reported the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA, quoting Jordanian health minister.

Health minister, Faleh Al-Naser, said Jordan was among the countries with low level of AIDS cases and "at the start, AIDS patients were infected when they were treated with imported blood."

The Jordanian official, who was speaking during the dedication ceremony of a guidance and hot-line center, said the center will provide health advice and care for AIDS patients and their families.

The health ministry formed what is called "the national AIDS committee" aimed at teaching people the preventive measures from AIDS.

Al-Naser said strong commitment to Islamic values and tradition were the best ways to avoid AIDS.