KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah claimed on Wednesday that the provincial government had successfully controlled the spread of HIV/AIDS among the people of the province through effective awareness drives.
The chief minister was talking to a UN delegation led by Eamonn Murphy, Director of Asia Pacific Regional Support team, who called on him at the CM House here on Wednesday. The delegation comprised Neil Buhne, UN Resident Coordinator, Dr Mamadou L.Sakho, Dr Maria Elen G Filio Borromeo, Dr Fahmida Iqbal Khan, Dr Rajwal Khan and Taufiq Baqali. The chief minister was assisted by P&D Chairman Mohammad Waseem, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Programme Manager of Sindh AIDS Control Programme Dr Mohammad Younis Chachar and others.
Murad Ali Shah said that he has given top priority to health services and has achieved good results. “Our plan to work in partnership with private sector has produced results,” he added.
Talking about Sindh AIDS Control Programme, he said that with the efforts of the provincial government AIDS/HIV has been halted to some extent. It has not turned to be epidemic in the province, he stated.
CM Murad said that the provincial government has passed legislation namely “Sindh HIV and AIDS Control Treatment and Protection Act” 2013. Murad added that the act highlights the vision, sense of ownership and leadership role along with extended role of Sindh government in fighting against HIV/AIDS to eliminate stigma and discrimination.
He thanked the UNAIDS programme for supporting and guiding the provincial government to fight against HIV/AIDS. “Your expert support has worked and now no new HIV infection has been reported,” he said.
Programme Manager of Sindh Aids Control Programme Dr Younis Chachar gave a brief presentation to the meeting on the efforts of the government to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
P&D Chairman Mohammad Waseem briefed the delegation about various schemes launched to control HIV/AIDS. The visiting delegation lauded the efforts of the provincial government and thanked the chief minister for his support.