President advises against social discrimination with HIV patients

ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain has called upon every citizen, particularly the health practitioners, not to discriminate against people living with HIV and protect their human rights and dignity.
In his message on the occasion of World AIDS Day being observed on December 1, the President said one of the factors inhibiting the fight against AIDS is the stigma surrounding HIV  resulting in discrimination against the patients. He urged the government institutions, civil society, philanthropists, NGOs and every citizen to refuse to perpetuate the
stigma surrounding HIV in workplaces and communities and thereby
help make Pakistan and the whole world free of HIV and AIDS by 2030.
He said every year, HIV and AIDS claims a large number of
lives globally. Pakistan is also facing a threat from this disease
due to a number of risk factors which are similar to those which
have in the past led to the AIDS epidemic in other countries.
“On the occasion of World AIDS Day 2015, I am pleased to share
that the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and
Coordination has made concrete and concerted efforts through this
National AIDS Control Programme to address various risk factors,” he
said.
The President said under the “Programme” a number of
significant activities are being carried out for the prevention and
control of HIV and AIDS. Many service delivery packages for
different vulnerable population groups are also in progress, he
added.
He said in order to minimize the spread of HIV, all public
sector hospitals are carrying out free of charge screening of blood
and blood products for HIV and Hepatitis B and C.
He said the promulgation of Blood Safety Ordinance, both at
federal and provincial level and supply of diagnostic kits and
laboratory consumables and equipment to all provincial, AJK, FATA
and federal centers are critical advances in fight against the
disease.