ISLAMABAD: Health experts have called for increased community engagement, media awareness campaigns and promotion of safe needle-use practices for individuals living in remote areas on the occasion of ‘World AIDS Day’, being observed today (Friday), aiming to ensure that Pakistan aligns with the global target of eradicating AIDS by 2030.
National Coordinator for Strengthening Common Management Unit (CMU) for TB, HIV/AIDS under the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Dr Razia Kuniz Fatima while talking to a private news channel emphasized the significance of taking necessary precautions to safeguard against AIDS.
She urged various stakeholders including media, influencers and community leaders to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS to prevent its spread.
Dr. Fatima underscored the annual reminder that ending the HIV epidemic requires collective efforts at the community level, innovative approaches, and reaching out to marginalized populations while enhancing access to health services.
Drawing attention to the gravity of the situation in Pakistan, she disclosed that Larkana, Sindh, was identified as a high-risk area for HIV/AIDS in 2022, with over 970 reported cases from January to November alone. The alarming trend continued, as she revealed that 9,773 individuals tested positive for HIV in the country during the preceding 10 months of 2022. Dr. Fatima expressed concern that without effective control measures, the number of HIV cases might escalate rapidly, akin to the spread of hepatitis C.
Providing a demographic breakdown, she noted that over 70% of affected individuals were male, 33% female, and only 3% children, reflecting the distribution of HIV cases within the country’s population.
Assuring the public, Dr. Fatima conveyed that the government remains vigilant and proactive in implementing necessary measures to protect people from HIV, emphasizing that the current situation in Pakistan is not yet deemed alarming. —APP
