There are approximately 97,400 cases of registered HIV/AIDS patients however, the concerned authorities of the Ministry of Health (MoH) maintain that this figure is understated for a variety of reasons, well-informed sources told Business Recorder on Friday.
Data of infected persons is difficult to collect for many reasons including the lack of adequate health facilities, which accounts for many not being diagnosed, the expensive medication which is beyond the reach of the common man, and the discrimination/stigma in society against HIV patients who are consequently reluctant to have themselves registered.
Reducing the number of HIV patients is also an objective of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) however, until the government can collect accurate data on HIV patients this MDG would remain unachievable. Sources further added that Pakistan was a high risk country with respect to HIV/AIDs spread. National Aids Control Programme (NACP) was established in 1986-87, and has been organising different seminars and other programmes to create awareness among the people on HIV/AIDs but there is need to arrange awareness programmes in villages as 70 percent population was living in rural areas, sources stated.
A large number of NGOs are working for prevention of HIV/AIDs. There are three major categories of the HIV/AIDs patients: new-borns, sex-workers and syringe users. The government was spending huge amount to control the spread of HIV/AIDs but its efforts could not yield fruit so far. Health officials suggested that government should organise advocacy seminars on HIV/AIDs in rural areas and also collect data of the infected people to achieve the MDGs.
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