HIV Patients Surge, Services Suspended in KP’s Merged Areas

Shah Khalid Shah Jee

Bajaur: In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the silent surge of HIV/AIDS is intensifying at an alarming pace. According to the HIV, Hepatitis, and Thalassemia Control Program, 1,276 new patients were registered in the province by November 25 this year, bringing the total number of registered cases to 9,749, including 2,454 women.

The numbers mirror last year’s registration of 1,265 patients, highlighting a disturbing pattern of persistent infections despite awareness campaigns. 

Every year, December 1st is observed as World AIDS Day in Pakistan and around the world. The aim of this day is to raise awareness about this deadly disease and to counter baseless rumors and negative social attitudes associated with it. 

The total number of HIV-infected patients in the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is 1,488. According to available data, the highest number of patients is registered in North Waziristan with 383 cases, followed by Khyber at 313, Kurram at 242, Bajaur at 231, South Waziristan at 162, and Mohmand at 88, while Orakzai has the lowest number at 69.

According to information from the AIDS Control Program in the merged districts, all activities have been suspended in all seven districts since June 2022. Every year since 2003-04, funds were released from the annual development fund of the former FATA under the “AIDS Control Program in FATA.”However, the existing PC-1 expired in June 2022. After the merger, a provincial assembly act was passed in 2021 to make the project permanent in all tribal districts, which also made all contract employees permanent six months ago.

Sources state that 22 employees posted in the merged districts, including the central office, have been made permanent, including the project manager, lab technician, computer operator, diver, and deputy manager. These employees have received six months’ salary after being made permanent.

At present, all services, including tests and medicines under the AIDS Control Program of the merged districts, are suspended. A PC-1 has been sent to the Health Department to secure funding. Testing facilities are available in the headquarters hospitals of all districts, with monthly reports sent to the AIDS Control Program of the merged districts.

According to the Provincial AIDS Control Program, free testing, medicines, and mental rehabilitation facilities are being provided at three centers in the province.

These centers are located at Bajaur Khar Headquarters Hospital, Miran Shah Headquarters Hospital in North Waziristan, and Parachinar Headquarters Hospital in Kurram. Senior officials of the Provincial AIDS Control Program say that the program in the merged districts will soon be fully integrated into the province and regularly re-established.

According to Dr Murtaza, Divisional Coordinator of the AIDS Control Program Malakand, there are about 1,400 registered AIDS patients in the Malakand division, including 141 patients from Bajaur.He stated that AIDS patients often register in other districts to protect their identity and are later sent back to their respective areas for treatment. This is why the data keeps changing. Currently, 141 AIDS patients registered in Bajaur belong to that district.

The general perception in society is that AIDS is only transmitted through unnatural sexual relations. Dr Murtaza said this is completely wrong. AIDS is not only transmitted through sexual relations with a partner, but like other diseases, it can be spread from one person to another in various ways.

He explained that the use of medical equipment for multiple patients, not using new blades for shaving, unsafe sexual relations, and the transfusion of infected blood can all transmit the disease to a healthy person.Dr. Murtaza said people should not fear the disease.

HIV/AIDS is one of the diseases surrounded by false propaganda, causing patients to suffer from fear. Precautions are necessary to prevent infection, but if someone does get infected, they should register at district centers and receive regular free check-ups and medicines to live a normal life.

He emphasized that many AIDS patients lead productive social and professional lives, but there is no room for negligence in taking medications. AIDS, like diabetes, cannot be cured once contracted, but with treatment and regular use of medicines, patients can live normal lives.Dr Murtaza organizes awareness seminars and sessions throughout Malakand division, inviting religious, political, social, and tribal elders, whose words influence the community. These sessions help dispel misconceptions and encourage people to seek treatment.

Additionally, an awareness walk is organized every year on December 1st to observe World AIDS Day. This year, an awareness walk was conducted by the District Headquarters Hospital Khar Bajaur AIDS Control Program, with participation from MS Dr Hayat Afridi, DMS Dr Naseeb Gul, other health staff, and members of the community.

Dr Murtaza urged people to cooperate with health personnel to prevent the spread of this deadly disease. He warned that if the disease continues to be hidden and timely treatment is avoided, it could spread to alarming levels in Malakand Division.