Minister calls for end to stigmatising AIDS

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has said on Friday the major source for the spread of Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are quacks, re-use of infected syringes and lack of violation of SOPs during blood transfusions. She expressed these views while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of National Guidelines for Management of STIs jointly organised by the King Edward Medical University and UNAIDS at a local hotel on Friday. Special Assistant to Prime Minister Dr Faisal Sultan especially joined the event and shared his thoughts on the subject. Present on the occasion were Country Director UNAIDS Dr Maria Elena Filio, KEMU Vice Chancellor Prof Khalid Masood Gondal, Fatima Jinnah Medical University Vice Chancellor Prof Amir Zaman Khan, Punjab AIDS Control Programme Director Dr Munir Ahmed and others. “I appreciate the organisers for holding an important event. We have introduced Insaf Medicine cards for patients of TB, Hepatitis and HIV and around 180,000 cards are being been distributed for free treatment. The initiative will especially help patients of co-infections,” the health minister said. “Patients of AIDS have to take medicines throughout their lives and treatment adherence is key to managing the disease. These guidelines will greatly help experts in the management of STIs among HIV patients.” Dr Rashid said the Punjab AIDS Control Programme was providing free diagnostic, counselling and treatment services to AIDS patients across the province. She said the behaviour of doctors provided half the treatment to patients. She further said discrimination and stigma towards AIDS patients especially in the healthcare setting were unacceptable. The health minister added the key task of medical universities was to conduct research and said great efforts were already being made towards treatment thalassemia patients.