Aids control: Resource-less in attaining MDGs

Due to frequent humanitarian crises, govt will not be able to achieve Millennium Development Goals regarding HIV/AIDS.

ISLAMABAD: Due to frequent humanitarian crises, the government will not be able to achieve the Millennium Development Goals regarding HIV/AIDS. This issue was raised by State Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar in her meeting with the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy Prasad Rao, who called on her Tuesday, said a press release. During the meeting, issues and challenges in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in Pakistan were discussed. The UN official briefed the minister on the support being provided by the UN to Pakistan’s programme and identified areas where future collaboration can be strengthened. The minister informed that the government has allocated Rs3 million for the programme this year and that it has asked the provinces to contribute as well, but she admitted that there are certain areas where the support of development partners is necessary. The minister requested support in developing communication strategies to bring about behavioral change with regard to the disease.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2014.