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AIDS, hepatitis cases on increase for lack of mass awareness

ISLAMABAD: AIDS and Hepatitis are swiftly growing in Pakistan due to lack of education and awareness among the people.

These views were expressed by Dr. Hamid Zeb Khan, a dermatologist and former President Pakistan Medical Association, Islamabad, here, while talking to APP.

He said according to the latest figures of NIH there are about 1400 AIDS patients while the number of HIV positive infected touches the mark of about 80,000 in Pakistan.

He further said, the HIV positive cases might be higher as a report of World Health Organisation (WHO) discloses that 75 percent of HIV positive infected, in the developing nations, goes unreported and the present situation may go from bad to worse in the next decade.

He further said, the performance of the government and private organisations, working for the awareness and education of the masses, have been inadequate, adding, "these groups include inefficient and extraneous staff who have nothing to do with medical field."

He observed, "Holding a walk in some posh area of Islamabad or some other venue in which even the banners or placards are displayed in English, do not make the population of Pakistan aware of the problem."

He added, "These (events) will not resolve the issue of AIDS or Hepatitis."

Dr. Hamid Zeb said, unfortunately, for a country of 140 million, the Ministry of Health has meagre staff and resources to deal with the epidemic which may aggravate in the coming five to ten years.

Dr. Hamid Zeb proposed formation of a task force in conjunction with the UN, relevant organisations, different AIDS and hepatitis associations, private sector, airport and port officials for evolving a strategy to identify and test the mobile population outside and within the country at subsidised rate.

He said, the new government has to act with full devotion and sincerity by selecting serious-minded, competent, and professionals to furnish a comprehensive contingency plan and a strategy on medium and long-term basis.

He added, "We have pinned our hopes on the new government. Decisive action is needed particularly in the vital Health sector. APP