PROVINCIAL HIV / AIDS CONTROL PROGRAMME-GoNWFP

Provincial AIDS Control Programme - Introduction

In NWFP the visible burden of disease is still not very significant and prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the general population is still below 0.1% ,however recent surveillance studies in the province indicates that the epidemic has started its progress in the High Risk Groups (HRGs). As in other parts of Pakistan, a concentrated epidemic has been observed in Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) with a prevalence of 13% (HASP SGS 2007-08),with the potential to spread into other groups such as men having Sex with Men (MSM) and Commercial Sex Workers (CSW). A concentrated epidemic has already been reported among Hijra sex workers with prevalence of 5.7% (HASP 2006) The heterogeneity and interlinking of injecting drug use and sexual behaviour, combined with low levels of HIV knowledge and safe sexual practices, and high levels of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs),indicate that there is a potential for a rapid spread of HIV into the general population through the bridging population. 

The total number of registered HIV/AIDS positive individuals in the province till May 2009 are 454.The most common mode of transmission among the reported cases is still heterosexual. Most reported cases are in the 20-44 years age group.

 In 2000, the Government OF Pakistan through a broad consultative process developed a National Strategic Framework for HIV/AIDS, which set out broad strategies and priorities for effective control of the epidemic. Based on the recommendations provided by the National Strategic Framework, Government of Pakistan expanded its response to combat the HIV/AIDS through the Enhanced HIV/AIDS Control Program in 2003-08.

The Project broadly encompasses the areas which includes, controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS so that it does not drain the limited Health Sector resources, successfully and rapidly scaling up the important communicable disease control activities, particularly in the context of HIV/AIDS, using targeted approach, introduce the systematic approach to quality assurance including effective monitoring and supervision, establish the mechanism for a government to work with the private sector on a large scale especially to the service delivery packages in the vulnerable populations female Sex Workers (FSW's), male having sex with Male (MSM's), injecting Drug Users (IDU's), long distance truckers, jail inmates, migrant workers and (MARA) Most at Risk Adolescents/ EVA (Especially vulnerable Adolescent).