RATODERO: The number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients in Ratodero, Larkana, has jumped to 64 on Wednesday.
As per details, more eight patients have tested HID AIDS positive in the screening of at least 2,000 outpatients determined at the camps established in the hometown of the Bhutto family.
Sources within the AIDS Control Programme said that 50 children are also included in the number of 64 HIV AIDS patients.
Meanwhile, the staff of the AIDS Control Programme is facing a shortage of kits sent to Ratodero for the HIV tests.
“There are 350 kits available with the AIDS Control Programme officials, while hundreds of the patients have reached the centre for their tests,” sources said.
In this regard, the officials said, they have asked Sindh government for more kits but due to a public holiday, they have not received the kits yet.
On Tuesday, the Ratodero police detained Dr Muzaffar Ghangharo – who is under a three-day physical remand on charges of infecting dozens of his patients with HIV – believed to be the cause of the recent alarming spike in HIV-positive cases in the district.
According to the Deputy Commissioner Larkana, Noman Siddique, Dr Muzaffar is at the last stage of AIDS and infected others people as an act of revenge.
The arrested doctor was said to be mentally ill and a medical board has been formed to examine him, the DC said.
The authorities took notice of the matter as the number of HIV-positive cases saw a sharp rise in the area.
Siddique said the affected persons will be treated by the government and a new centre in this regard will start its working from tomorrow in Ratodero.
