Risk of spread of HIV to other cities of Sindh feared

SUKKUR: The Sindh AIDS Control Programme has decided to screen transgenders and prisoners at the HIV AIDS centers established in Larkana to ascertain any spread of infection among the risk population. This information was given during a meeting with the Sindh Minister of Health, Population and Welfare Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho on Tuesday to discuss the HIV outbreak.

Pechuho was briefed that there is a risk of spread of HIV and AIDS to Nausharoferoz, Khairpur, Sehwan, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Dadu and Thatta. Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said the PPP Chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is shocked over the HIV outbreak in Ratedero. Dr Pechuho admitted that Chandka Medical Hospital Larkana is not providing adequate medical facilities to the victims of the HIV outbreak. Pechuho ordered to ensure the provision of HIV screening kits to all the screening centers to speed up the screening process. The minister also directed DHOs and Drug inspector to launch crackdown against the companies selling reused syringes. She also directed Sindh Health Care Commission to launch operation against the quacks. The minister claimed that 500 clinics run by quacks were sealed.

The minister directed the divisional commissioner Larkana, project director AIDS Control Program and district health officers to take all possible precautionary measures to control the situation. She also directed an internal investigation to find out the basic cause of the spread of the fatal virus.

The Programme Manager HIV Sindh, Dr. Sikandar Memon told to meeting that 11,068 individuals were screened for HIV. He said six screening stations have already been setup. In the meeting representatives of WHO and Aga Khan and others presented their recommendations.

Meanwhile, SSP Larkana Masood Ahmed Bangash held a meeting with the transgenders in Larkana and counselled them to get themselves screened. Bangash said their registration process is underway and they would be given Rs 4000 per month besides imparting skill based training to them so they earn a respectable livelihood.