Lack of awareness: 25 new HIV cases detected

LARKANA: As many as 25 new HIV positive cases were detected and registered in November 2018 at the HIV/AIDS Treatment and Care Centre, Larkana. Out of these cases, 15 were reported from Larkana district alone. Four patients are females, under 40 years.

Sources at the centre said that while the international community will be observing World AIDS Day on December 1, the lack of awareness continues plague the general population of Pakistan, who are still unaware about safe sex and safe blood transfusion.

The number of registered HIV positive cases at the centre has risen to 2,276. In end of July, the registered patients’ number was 2,120 and in four months as many as 156 new cases have been registered which shows that approximately 40 new cases are being detected each month at the centre.

Dr Farooq Rahman Soomro, former focal person for HIV/AIDS in Larkana District, said that in the absence of emergency measures the number of cases will continue to increase.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2018.