Harm reduction project: AIDS control programme launched

24,000 drug addicts are direct beneficiary of this project with countless indirect beneficiaries.

ISLAMABAD: Rutgers World Population Foundation (WPF) has, in collaboration with Nai Zindagi, launched a Harm Reduction Project (HARP) for eliminating, reducing and controlling the spread of HIV and Aids in the country. Currently, 24,000 such drug addicts are the direct beneficiary of this project with countless indirect beneficiaries in the districts of Gujrat, Kasur and Jhelum. Talking to APP, the HARP Programme Manager Asher Bhatti said, “There is need to strengthen the public health systems to respond to HIV in an effective way. All people including High Risk Groups should have access to health services without any stigma and discrimination.” Since 1988, the world celebrates World Aids Day on December 1 each year. This day was truly the first global health day observed to raise awareness on HIV and to commemorate the people who have lost their lives due to this epidemic.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2013.