Treatment of HIV infected patients starts in Larkana

Larakana- The Sindh AIDS Control Program (SACP) has started the treatment of 40 HIV infected patients in Larkana and Ratodero after confirmation.

Provincial Director, Sindh AIDS Control Program, Dr Sikander Memon, informed that the screening process of people was underway in Larkana, Ratodero, and its slum areas. He reported that the SACP had started the treatment of 40 HIV infected children and adults after double checking for HIV.

According to official figures of the Sindh AIDS Control Program (SACP), so far 13876 people have been screened at various blood screening camps established in Ratodero taluka. Out of these, 507 have been found HIV positive, which included five cases found by PPHI. Amongst these 507 cases, only 97 are adults, and 410 are children.

A senior doctor commented that the Sindh Government had learnt no lesson even after the sudden outbreak of the large number of HIV cases in Ratodero.

He said that the government would have to appoint the SACP Provincial Program Manager on merit to establish good governance. According to the doctor, the present manager had no expertise or any experience in the field of HIV/AIDS as he had mostly remained as section officer, OSD or deputy secretary in the health department which has nothing to do with the dealing of chronic and viral diseases. The current health crises have created panic amongst the residents in Larkana and adjoining villages.

He urged the authorities concerned to appoint an experienced hand to lead the SACP to control the further spread of HIV/AIDS. He further said that a massive awareness door-to-door drive must be launched across the province to teach the people how to keep themselves away from being infected with HIV.

He said nothing would be obtained by merely organizing workshops and lucrative seminars for the doctors.

Approximately 131000 HIV/AIDS infected people are living in Pakistan, out of which 56000 patients are from Sindh.

The Sindh AIDS Control Program has registered more than 15000 HIV infected patients since the start of the program out of which the treatment of 10000 patients is underway throughout the province.