Addressing a function held in connection with International AIDS Day here at Sheikh Zaid Islamic Centre, University of Peshawar, the Minister as Chief Guest said AIDS and HIV virus have no geographical borders and joint strategies and support is required among the countries and different health institutions working for prevention of HIV to protect people from this deadly disease on permanent basis.
He said social, cultural and religious barriers are the main causes in our country and emphasised upon more work on education, prevention, testing, and treatment to completely halting its spread. He said great responsibilities lied on shoulders of religious scholars, media and teachers to improve level of awareness among masses in this regard. The Federal Minister said the government has taken a number of measures to prevent and control AIDs and HIV in the country. The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) has been established with an objective to contain the epidemic and protect masses from this fatal disease.
In its early stages, the programme focused on laboratory diagnosis of suspected HIV cases, but progressively it has begun to shift its focus towards HIV prevention and control interventions. The Ceremony was also addressed by Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar Professor Dr Qibla Ayaz, Secretary Social Sector Dr Aftab Akbar Durrani and officials of National AIDS Control Programme and Directorate of Health Services FATA. A large number of people, health practitioners and members of civil society attended the function. According to UNAIDS 2011 estimates, the number of people living with HIV in Pakistan is 98,400 out of which 28,000 are women and 3,000 children under fifteen years of age.