Staff Reporter Islamabad
Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Dr Nausheen Hamid on Friday said that the government has strengthened its efforts to prevent vulnerable communities in the country from carrying HIV.
Replying to a question in the National Assembly, Dr Nausheen Hamid said that the government was working along with people living with HIV in its initiatives against the disease to educate people as due to lack of awareness many affected persons were unaware about its treatment and other aspects.
She said that affected persons need lifelong treatment of this disease, but many of them avoided further treatment after improving their health conditions which is medically wrong, she added. She said that quacks were the main reason behind the spread of this disease in the country.
She said that after the spread of the disease from a doctor in Ratodero, the government had taken several measures to avoid further incidents, including establishment of a new HIV testing facility at the Taluka Headquarter Hospital in Ratodero.
She said that the government was working with partners to develop a community response plan which will engage communities at all levels to reduce prevailing stigma and discrimination and promote health education.
She added awareness and health education sessions are being organized with the involvement of community organizations and religious leaders.
“Our task is to effectively address the critical gaps in preventing new HIV infections and to guarantee the health.
