Experts Advocate Local Efforts for HIV Prevention

APP

Islamabad: Health experts emphasize increased community engagement, media awareness campaigns, and promotion of safe needle-use practices for remote residents on ‘World AIDS Day’ to aid Pakistan’s pursuit of the global goal to eradicate AIDS by 2030.

Dr Razia Kuniz Fatima, the National Coordinator for Strengthening the Common Management Unit (CMU) for TB, HIV, and AIDS under the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, highlighted the paramount importance of adopting preventive measures to safeguard against AIDS during an interview with a private news channel.

She urged all stakeholders, including the media, influencers, and community leaders, to create awareness about HIV/AIDS to prevent its spread. “Every year, the day reminds us that ending the HIV epidemic requires collective efforts at the community level, innovative thinking, reaching the most marginalised populations, and improving access to health services,” she said.

Emphasizing the gravity of the situation in Pakistan, she highlighted Larkana as a high-risk area for HIV/AIDS in Sindh in 2022.

Within just January to November, over 970 cases were reported in this region alone. Moreover, she expressed concern about the escalating numbers, noting that in the last 10 months of 2022, 9,773 individuals tested positive for HIV in Pakistan.

She cautioned that without effective control measures, the number of cases might surge to millions, likening the potential spread to that of hepatitis C, which shares similar transmission routes.

Regarding the impact on demographics, she noted that over 70 percent of males, 33 percent of females, and a mere 3 percent of children in the country’s population have been affected by HIV in recent years.

Despite these figures, she reassured people that the government remains vigilant and proactive in implementing necessary measures to safeguard people from HIV. While acknowledging the concerning statistics, she also highlighted that the current situation in Pakistan is not yet at an alarming stage.