Foreign aid to combat HIV crisis

KARACHI: South Korea has announced the provision of aid for the extension of World Health Organisation’s (WHO) project pertaining to the HIV outbreak in Larkana. South Korea is the first country to assist Pakistan in its efforts to control the spread of HIV in Sindh.

According to WHO, South Korea has issued $100,000 is cash for the extension of this project. These funds will be invested in the on-going efforts in Larkana to curb and control the virus.

WHO representative Dr Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala met the South Korean ambassador to Pakistan and they discussed the current situation in Larkana. Expressing concern, Dr Gunarathna said that the virus was spreading rapidly and most of those who had tested positive for HIV were children. According to WHO, more funds are still needed for the project despite the support offered by South Korea. The people affected by the virus need to be saved and the further spread of HIV needs to be curbed in the next two. Around $4.5 million is needed only to ease the suffering of the infected children.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2019.