Failure of Punjab AIDS programme

A report published by the Punjab’s Planning and Development Department elucidated that the Punjab AIDS Control Programme has failed to meet targets by tens of thousands. It is unfathomable how the targets were missed by such large margins, assuming the necessary planning was carried out prior to setting the targets and launching the programme. The large difference in actual and planned targets, however, indicates that unrealistic goals were set on highly idealistic timelines.

Embarrassing is the correct way to describe the discrepancy. In 2017-18, one target was to provide 50,000 female sex workers with preventative services. Only 3% of that figure was achieved. Also, more AIDS centres were to be established as part of the programme, but only 15% of the target was achieved in this regard. Lo and behold, the dismal performance has been blamed on mismanagement. Digging deeper, it would not be surprising if the mismanagement was a misnomer for corruption as approximately 90% of the budget was spent, with little to show for what success was actually achieved. The spending by the programme beyond allocated funds at various times should be investigated. It is not out of character for government agencies to be profligate with public money and siphon it for themselves. It is also characteristic for agencies to lack regard for public health, which is the area the AIDS Control Programme falls in.

Whether the estimates of total sex workers are inflated or the programme lacks means to achieve the high targets, the programme team needs to be able to answer for its performance. Although tackling public health dilemmas is a difficult feat in Pakistan due to poor infrastructure, support and odd beliefs held by people, the reviewers are correct in saying that AIDS should be kept at the helm before it turns into a full-fledged epidemic, of which we have plenty old and new.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2018.

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