We need to turn the issue into a public debate where people can talk about it openly
KARACHI: In Pakistan, there are more than 100,000 people suffering from AIDS. It does seem that the number of HIV patients is relatively lower in Pakistan but we cannot know the actual figure unless we are sure that the sample size is big enough. Today, we have national and provincial control departments but there is no action on the healthcare front and no effective action has ever been taken by these departments. One of the major hurdles in the way of knowing and approaching victims is the stigma attached to this disease. This problem has no scientific solution — it can only be resolved by revising moral values. No vaccine or drug can reduce the size or alter the nature of this obstacle.
There is a dire need to create awareness among people and turn the issue into a public debate where people can talk about it openly. Without qualms, without fear of adverse moral judgment or being deemed shameless. The government of Pakistan and human rights NGOs must increase awareness levels and start a dialogue amongst friends and within families on sensitive, HIV-related issues. We want to end HIV-AIDS and free Pakistan of a disease which has long been a cause of great challenge for us.
Zainab Ali
Published in The Express Tribune, April 17th, 2015.
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