HIV/Aids are rapidly spreading in Sindh province as 191 more people have been tested positive at various government-run-centers from October to December, 2011. It has been revealed in a report compiled by Sindh Aids Control Programme (SACP), which is available with the Business Recorder. The report mentions that 191 more patients of HIV/Aids have been registered at various centers of Karachi, Hyderabad and Larkana divisions in fourth quarter of 2011.
It states that ratio of HIV patients is more than those of Aids among 191 new carriers. With addition of 191, now the total figure of HIV/Aids patients is 4,516 throughout the province, report adds. Health experts have expressed their serious concern over the increasing number of HIV/Aids carriers and the attitude of the officials concerned, who have closed their eyes towards the issue. It may be noted that 153 HIV/Aids patients were registered during the first quarter of 2011, from 1st January to 31st March while 274 in second quarter, from 1st April to 30th June. However, 126 of them died of this chronic disease during these three months, report reveals.
According to detailed report, 582 HIV patients were registered in 2003, 988 in 2004, 1229 in 2005, 1670 in 2006, 1890 in 2007, 2271 in 2008, 3581 in 2009 and 3581 in 2010. The Number of Aids patients is also increasing day by day. According to statistics, it was only 85 in 2003, 102 in 2004, 106 in 2005, 108 in 2006, 163 in 2007, 168 in 2008, and 192 in 2009.
When contacted, Deputy Programme Manager SACP Dr Qamar Abbas told Business Recorder that Sindh government had released funds for the rehabilitation of HIV/Aids patients and expressed the hope that ratio of patients would be reduced in next three months. He said that the SACP would launch awareness campaign very soon in every nook and corner of province with help of local social activists.
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