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PESHAWAR, Dec 01 (APP):Speakers at seminar said HIV/AIDS was a fatal disease and mass awareness was crucial to combat it.
Like the rest of the world, a seminar was held in Peshawar in connection with World AIDS Day.
The seminar was jointly organized by the non-governmental organization Da Hawa Lur and the AIDS Control Program.
Health experts expressed concern over the increasing cases of HIV and emphasized timely testing and treatment.
“The biggest obstacles to ending AIDS are social stigma and lack of awareness,” said Khurshid Bano, CEO of Da Hawa Lur.
She said it is extremely important to dispel misconceptions about HIV so people can get tested without fear. “We should hate the disease, not the patient, so that we can eliminate it,” said Khurshid Bano.
She said the rise in the number of HIV patients is due to social pressure and lack of information, adding the government should make HIV screening common and raise awareness among the youth.
The purpose of observing World AIDS Day is to spread awareness among the people,” said Jalal Khan, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, HIV/AIDS Control Program.
“According to our data from last year, 32,000 people were living with HIV,” said Jalal Khan.
A present, he said about 8,000 people are receiving treatment, and this year we have added another 1,175 affected individuals,” he said.
He added the increase in patients is not a sign of danger but rather a positive sign because people are coming forward for treatment.
“The number of people living with HIV has now reached 39,702, and it is expected to reach 44,000 next year,” said Jalal Khan.
According to the AIDS Control Program, the number of affected individuals across the province, including the tribal districts, has reached 8,400.
Peshawar has the highest number of HIV patients in the province, with 1,724 cases, 939 cases in Bannu, 437 in Swat, 427 in Mardan; and 391 in Charsadda were reported, according to the AIDS Control Program.
From the newly merged districts, 1,371 cases were reported. In North Waziristan, 354 cases were reported, Khyber 286, Kurram 224 and Bajaur 218.
Unsafe blood transfusions, improper use of drug-injecting equipment, and lack of awareness are the major causes behind the rising HIV/AIDS cases,” said the AIDS Control Program.