Haleem fears AIDS may turn epidemic in Sindh

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) Sindh chapter acting president and parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh has feared that HIV/AIDS may turn epidemic in Sindh province due to lack of proper screening treatment facilities.

As per details, Haleem Adil on Thursday paid a surprise visit to the ward of Sindh AIDS Control Program set up in the Civil Hospital Karachi and inspected its condition and available facilities.

Incharge psychologist Dr Zeba told him that they have only one room and it is not enough to take care of the privacy of AIDS patients. She said presently they have no other place to shift these patients. She said the concerned authorities have already been written to provide the missing facilities.

Haleem Adil Sheikh later told the media that there are thousands of AIDS patients in Sindh, but for their treatment there is just one room in the CHK, which is also in pathetic condition.

He said a ward for treatment of children suffering from AIDS was seen closed and there was no any doctor but only one data entry operator was present there. He feared that AIDS cases may rise in megacity Karachi due to lack of proper screening and treatment facilities in the megacity.

Haleem Adil said three months back he had visited different towns of Sindh and alerted the provincial government of Sindh that the number of HIV/AIDS patients is rising. He said he had also tabled a resolution on this matter in Sindh assembly but sadly it was rejected.

He recalled that an official of Sindh health department Dr Yunus Chachar had held a press conference against him and claimed that not a single AIDS patient was there in whole Sindh.

He said now the government should see with her own eyes and tell how many AIDS patients are present in Larkana, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Ghotki and other town. He regretted that rulers have made whole Sindh virtually AIDS-affected.

He said no treatment facilities for AIDS are there in the government hospitals, saving one-room ward in CHK Karachi. He said this dreaded disease is rising in whole Sindh and the rulers of this province are in deep slumber.

He feared that AIDS is taking an epidemic shape in Sindh and the government should take immediate and serious steps now so that to check yet another human tragedy in Sindh province.