Residents live in fear as HIV/AIDS grips DG Khan

At least 1,900 cases were registered in 2017 and till date the numbers have reached to 2,798

DERA GHAZI KHAN:  

 

 

In a startling revelation, HIV/AIDS infection cases are on the rise in Dera Ghazi Khan District as 455 people have died due to lack of treatment facilities.

More than 2,798 (40%) such cases have been reported in different health facilities in the region this year, The Express Tribune has learnt.

While giving details, sources revealed that the numbers of non-registered cases are more than 7,000 in Dera Gazi Khan and more than 15,000 in South Punjab. At least 40% women are included in this ratio. The surging figures have been caused due to lack of awareness among people. Only 84 patients out of 2,798 have been provided free medical facilities, including provision of medicines and tests.

Dr Haroon Bilal, In-charge Officer of Aids Control Center, said the number of patients suffering from HIV/AIDS is steadily growing in South Punjab, especially in Dera Gazi Khan and its adjoining areas.

“During one year, the numbers of reported cases have increased to 40%. A total of 1,900 cases were registered till November 30, 2017 and till date, the numbers have reached to 2,798.”

He highlighted that more than 2,200 males, 508 females, 90 children and transgender people are included in this figure. “Currently, more than 40 people, affected by TB, and 800 suffering from Hepatitis B and C are under treatment at hospitals, he mentioned.

He said that more than 2,798 registered HIV/AIDS patients are under treatment and all of them are provided with lifetime medicines and CDA4 test facilities under the Punjab Government’s AIDS Control Programme.

He elaborated that patients are also provided medicines, which cost more than Rs80,000, on monthly basis. At the same time, the  details of the patients are kept secret.

He said that Special Clinics provide free screening to the patients and their data is saved for future correspondence after biometric verification.  He said the Punjab government has also established a treatment center in Multan. “The treatment of HIV/AIDS will not only save lives, but can be helpful in preventing it from spreading. We are here to help all those suffering from the disease,” he said.

Bilal revealed that 91 females infected with the disease gave birth to babies during treatment and of them, only one baby has the AIDS virus.

Sources said that the only treatment center of South Punjab, operating under the AIDS Control Programme, is located in Dera Ghazi Khan. This center consists of five doctorsIn view of the shortage of staff, a request has been sent to the provincial government to hire more doctors.

Psychologist Rehmat Raza Khosa told The Express Tribune that the number of HIV/AIDS patients, both registered and non-registered, has exceeded 10,000 figure in Dera Gazi Khan, including Sakhi Sarwar, Kot Mubarak, Kala, Shah Sadar Deen, Pir Adil, Yato Khosa, Taunsa and other areas. Furthermore, more than 200 people living in areas like Rukni, Kohlo Barkhan and the tribal belt are affected by AIDS.

“People who return to Pakistan from the gulf and foreign countries, quacks, drug addicts and reuse of affected syringes, are the major causes for the spread.” He pointed out that it was high time authorities take solid steps to control HIV/AIDS in the region.”

HIV/AIDS patient Nazar Hussain, a resident of Sakna Kot Mubarak, who is under treatment at AIDS Treatment Center, said, “I have been receiving treatment for the past three years and am gradually coming back to normal life.” “In the beginning, I was afraid when I came to know that I have been infected with the disease, but now I have a new life.”

Like Hussain, other female patients said that they have been under treatment at the centre for several years and they all have come back to their normal lives.

Other patients Irshad, Muhammad Nawaz and Bashir stated that the AIDS Treatment Centre provides them free medical tests and medicines. They said that they have been affected by HIV/AIDs while they were in foreign countries. They revealed that they have been deported after diagnosis of the disease.

While commenting on the situation, Federal Minister Zartaj Gul said that several complaints have been received from areas where women were forced to marry a man suffering from HIV/AIDS. “That is the reason this disease is spreading quickly. We have to raise our voice against such cruel decisions,” she maintained.

Gul mentioned the present government is taking solid measures to facilitate the people at every level.

Punjab CM’s Adviser Muhammad Hanif Khan Pitafi said that researches proved that people who inject drugs through syringes are more prone to contracting AIDS than others. He added that AIDs awareness desks have been established in hospitals across Punjab for distributing medicines to the affected people.