Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Combating HIV/AIDs
Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and deaths due to the infectious disease has been growing alarmingly in Pakistan as compared to other countries of the world. There are nearly 100,000 people in Pakistan living with HIV/AIDs, but only 15,370 are registered. In Pakistan HIV/AIDs is considered as a big stigma. People do not think it as a disease, like cancer and tuberculosis and instead consider people with this disease as children of a lesser God.
Because of the humiliation, most of the patients do not disclose their illness. Prevention of this disease is very important but when patients are forced to hide their sickness, it gets difficult to control the epidemic as nobody is aware of this person might be having HIV/AIDs. The most common reason of getting HIV/AIDs in Pakistan is injecting drugs through needles. Heroin addicts, who keep exchanging needles that are use previously to inject drug are most likely to catch this disease while using non-sterilised blades or used blades can also cause the disease.
There is a need to make aware population to protect future generations from this deadly disease. Prevention of HIV infection is the only answer and early access to treatment with AIDS drugs for those who test positive as providing AIDs drugs earlier would allow them to live longer and healthier lives, and help reduce the risk that they transmit HIV to others. Moreover, for this to happen government, religious groups, civil society and media will have to work in tandem.
HADIA AZIZ
Islamabad
PSL causes traffic woes
Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches that began on Feb 20 will continue till March 22. However, security and traffic arrangements being executed by law enforcement agencies have caused massive disruptions around National Stadium. The end of some important accesses and limits on movements of residents living in areas around National Stadium is a major source of irritant for people.
The main roads that will remain sealed for traffic during these matches are Stadium Road, Karsaz Road, Dalmia Road and Sir Shah Suleiman Road from Hassan Square onwards. Although residents living in localities adjacent to National Stadium, according to plan announced, would be allowed to enter and leave their families after showing their CNICs to the security persons on duty. On Stadium Road are located two major health facilities and medical training bodies – AKUH and LNH beside medical colleges. This has given people a lot of daily discomfort and sheer waste of time.
FAYYAZ ASHFAQ
Karachi
Civil reforms
Recently, the federal government has introduced reforms in civil services of Pakistan to make it more responsible, accountable, efficient, service oriented and to purge it from incompetent and corrupt people. But the shocking aspect is that government has not included autonomous bodies, corporations and public sector organizations in its reforms policy, which need to be overhauled equally. Ironically in public sector organizations ostensibly there is no transparent system of induction, promotion, placement, training, development and even service rules are not there in some entities to run these national institutions on merit. I have seen most of the senior officers in public sector organizations, who even cannot write a single paragraph, speak out, interpret and have no vision and professional knowledge to run their offices in a professional manner. In most of the cases they are inducted and elevated on important positions purely on political considerations and their contacts with higher ups without any competitive process as a result of which our public sector organizations are not in a position to deliver. There is no concept of merit, accountability, transparency and efficiency in these organizations and no room is there for committed, honest and professionally competent people to even survive. They are compelled to leave or otherwise they are booted out because they are not a part of corrupt and inefficient system.
I will request the PM to order the Establishment Division to evolve a mechanism to bring all public sector organizations, corporations and autonomous bodies undere the ambit of FPSC. All inductions and departmental promotions of PSOs be allowed to be taken by the FPSC and trainings be conducted by NIPA and other reputable training institutions to ensure the elevation of capable, professionally sound, efficient and meritorious officers on important and senior positions.
TARIQ MAJEED
Hyderabad
Motorbike theft
Motorcycle theft has become a major problem for people of Karachi and due to the fear of losing their motorbikes they cannot afford to park them anywhere. Reportedly dozens of motorbikes and cars are being stolen everyday in the city. Therefore, I urge upon police high-ups to put serious efforts to control this issue.
PARVEZ MOULA BAKSH
Karachi
Combating virus outbreak
The Corona Virus outbreak and related news bits have been literally churning the world till date. Deeply disturbed by such situations, I am writing my second letter about this rising crisis out there. Worse, the international community has lost the so-called whistleblower doctor Li Wenliang to the deadly virus already declared dangerous and serious by the World Health Organization.
First of all, this is not a problem for China alone and Corona Virus has been posing bigger health problems to the whole world. And this is something to be tackled by all collectively rather than putting the blame on others. Take that whistleblower for example. According to sources, it is this doctor named Li Wenliang who had strongly warned against the impending danger from the “Virus Corona.” He is no more now, falling victim to the virus infection and courting strong reactions from all sides.
Against this backdrop, we can say he could have done something and go on to say that it could have been avoided by and large. Alas, we have Li dying down in front of all our eyes but yet there have been many educated people and vibrant enthusiasts in China, which has been a beautiful hub of education, attracting many students worldwide. And they all should be encouraged to research the current health sector to put an end to such deadly diseases.
P SENTHIL S DURAI
Via email
