Owing to socio-cultural sensitivity, stigma and limited access to services, only 4,885 people living with HIV are registered for treatment whereas the current estimated number of AIDS patients in Pakistan is 98,000. This was disclosed here on Thursday at a seminar, jointly organised by National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), UNAIDS and Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination. While speaking on the occasion, NACP Manager Dr Sajid Ahmad said that after the devolution of the Ministry of Health, the programme is running short of funds.
He said, according to the estimated number, 91,000 injected drug users, 63,000 male sex workers, 43,000 homosexual sex workers and 136,000 female sex workers are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. He said that low level of literacy and awareness, high number of at-risk population, strong sexual networks, highly vulnerable youth, inadequate blood transfusion practices, unsafe injection practices, silence and denial of having disease and stigma or discriminations were main risk factors in Pakistan.
Federal Inter-Provincial Coordination Secretary Amjad Ali said, “Pakistan is still at awareness stage and, unfortunately, we are not handling this issue seriously. This institution should enhance the level of awareness to protect people.” Artist Khalid Abbas Dar also spoke on this occasion.
