AIDS ‘epidemic’

The number of AIDS patients in Punjab has now reached the alarming figure of 18,556

There are reports that the largest AIDS control programme in the country seems to be failing in performing its task. Such fears are being attributed to the delay by the Punjab government in procuring 100,000 rapid HIV/AIDS test kits. The number of AIDS patients in the province has now reached the alarming figure of 18,556. There are apprehensions that due to the inordinate delay in the purchase of HIV rapid test kits, the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Punjab might assume epidemic proportions. According to a report of the National AIDS Control Programme appearing in the media, AIDS cases in Pakistan has increased by 57% in the past eight years with the death rate at 369%. Punjab tops the list with 50% of the total 36,902 HIV/AIDS cases, followed by Sindh with 43%, K-P 5% and Balochistan 2%. The number of unregistered HIV cases in the country is estimated to be 165,000. Of the total 44 HIV/AIDS treatment centres in the country, Punjab has 26. Treatment centres in Punjab recently compiled the total number of registered AIDS patients in the province.

An official of the Punjab AIDS control programme admits that the delay in procuring test kits for screening of patients has increased the risk of the disease taking the form of an epidemic. He, however, said there was discrepancy in the reported data of HIV/AIDS patients. He disclosed that out of the total 18,556 registered patients in Punjab, only 9,400 patients were being provided treatment under the programme. He said the relevant authorities were supposed to submit a new PC-1 to set new targets to reduce the incidence/impact of the disease. But they failed and now the previous programme had been extended to June 2020. The PACP director claims that reporting of such a large number of AIDS patients in Punjab could be the result of duplication of already registered patients during data entry by various dashboards. Steps are being taken to avoid duplication of data entry. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2020.

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