QUETTA: Balochistan Health Minister Naseebullah Marri has said the provincial government is taking serious measures to control HIV/AIDS in the province as at least 6,000 patients suffer from the epidemic.
He said this while addressing a seminar at Bolan Medical Hospital, stressing upon awareness and collective efforts to eradicate the virus from Balochistan.
“AIDS is an untreatable disease which can only be prevented by following Islamic teachings and ensuring proper care,” said Marri as he lauded the performance of provincial Aids Program despite having meagre resources.
He emphasised that coherent efforts were needed to combat the virus, as the burgeoning increase in number of patients has created an alarming situation.
“Instead of resenting AIDS patients, we should hate the disease because without awareness we cannot eradicate it,” Marri said.
Sharing his views provincial manager for Aids Control Program Dr Afzal Zarkoon said an awareness campaign was launched from November 20 across the province which concluded on World HIV/AIDS Day.
“During the campaign we organised various programs, seminars, sports activities and discussions to brief society about the effects of the disease,” Dr Zarkoon informed the audience as he urged government’s attention towards Provincial Aids Control Program.
Earlier, Health Department Deputy Director Dr Kamalan Gichki on Saturday said the number of HIV/AIDS patients in Balochistan has crossed the 6,000 mark, a situation that is a source of serious concern for people of the province.
Gichki said: “As many as 1,339 AIDS patients were registered this year – out of which 1,025 were reported from Quetta and 314 from Turbat.”
According to AIDS Control Programme provincial chief, the prevalence of the life-threatening disease also spiked among transgender persons this year as compared to the last two years.
Moreover, the number of pregnant women living with HIV also increased to 50 against 12 reported last year and 10 in 2017, he added.
“We have established screening centres in 30 districts of Balochistan, in addition to treatment centres in Turbat and Quetta,” said Dr Zarkoon. He said soon new centres will be established in Zhob, Loralai, Sibi, Dera Murad Jamali, and Lasbela.
The provincial chief revealed that as many as 35 prisoners in province’s nine jails tested HIV positive. He stressed that in order to save Balochistan from AIDS all parties, including religious scholars, media and teachers will have to work together.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 5th, 2019.
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