ISLAMABAD – Despite having national plans for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) control the number of patients are increasing manifold as 30 new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and 4,366 confirmed cases of TB were reported from all over the Pakistan during December last year. These figures have been revealed by FAFEN an NGO in its monthly Health Scan, a report based on the compilation of data of the cases of a selection of diseases collected by the Offices of Executive District Officers (Health) across Pakistan. Report said the number of TB cases is increasing as 4,366 confirmed new cases are reported in 34 districts, Frontier Region Peshawar and ICT.
The majority of the cases 3,336 were reported from 18 districts of Punjab, followed by 570 cases from seven districts of Sindh, 434 cases from eight districts of KP, 18 cases from one district of Balochistan, six cases from FR Peshawar and two from ICT. Mianwali district in Punjab was the most disease-concentrated as total 1,324,740 cases of diseases reported nationwide whereas 99,154 cases were reported from Mianwali alone. The districts of Gujranwala and Kasur in Punjab remained the second and third most disease affected areas in December with 95,488 and 78,905 cases, respectively as both the districts are heavily industrialized with high pollution levels.
In line with the disease trends over the previous months, Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) remained the leading cause of disease during December 2010 with 746,768 cases in 54 districts, FR Peshawar and ICT. Diarrhea and Dysentery together were the second most frequently occurring diseases nationwide with 267,494 cases in 58 districts, FR Peshawar and ICT. Scabies was the third most commonly occurring disease with 160,720 cases reported in the 55 districts, FR Peshawar and ICT. While FAFEN Governance monitors approached EDO (Health) Offices in 108 districts in six regions during December for this data.
The disparate and under reporting of infections such as HIV that are also socially stigmatized warrant greater government investments in further strengthening the diagnostic and treatment facilities in public and private sector especially in high risk areas. The report recommended that the government should start awareness raising campaigns about the responsibilities of infected individuals to protect others and their right to confidentiality.
It is the responsibility of concern ministry to support programmes that could enable them to live a normal life through proper counseling, medication and care should also be strengthened further. In addition, increased general and targeted investments are required for public knowledge about communicable diseases to enhance precaution and safety.
