AIDS in basically a heath issue but its social complications and economic impacts are far reaching. The deadly disease, detected a few decades back has faced the national of world with new challenges of health and is rapidly becoming a threat for the developing nations, while the only way to prevent the disease is awareness and adopting preventive measures. In order to achieve this goal, the AIDS Control Programme NWFP arranged an Advocacy seminar for parliamentarians, religion leaders, media-men and civil society member in Nathia Gali. The participants deliberated over the AIDS situation in the province and presented a number of suggestions to chalk out an effective strategy to combat AIDS. MPAs Qazi Asad, Israrullah Gandapur and Mian Nisar Gul and farmer Provincial Minister, Qari Ruhullah Madni, Secretary Heath, Abdussamad, Dr Iqbal Khalil, Dr. Mohammad Zafar Ponum Mazhar and Jenhanzeb addressed various sessions of the seminar .following is the summary of the proceedings and suggestions made by the participations. AIDS has become concentrated epidemic in high risk groups in Pakistan and if in-time and proper steps were not taken, a very dangerous situation may emerge in the future. As AIDS is a social issue therefore a joint strategy to involve health , education and social welfare departments is necessary .Similarly elected representatives can play an active role in changing the behavior of the people. It is high time for parliamentarians to focus on educating the society about AIDS especially in the coming election campaign. .like wise suitable strategy is must to reach the house hold women to sensitize them about the risk factors of the disease. Moreover mechanism to utilize the services of teachers, religious scholars, police, army and Govt: machinery is essential to be evolved to create effective awareness about AIDS. Instead of adopting secular approach to control AIDS, religion should be utilized to cope with the problem, as in a Muslim society religion is an effective way to mould opinion of the people. Islam emphasizes the welfare of the mankind and terms service to the humanity as warship .Islam also provides a best mechanism for self protection and stresses to check obscenity to reform the society. The Holy Prophet had warned those indulged in obscenity of the emergence of new and complicated diseases, not found in the days of their fore fathers. Religion can contribute a lot in controlling AIDS and that is why interred- faith contacts are too much essential. Stigmatization is the biggest hurdle in the detection of AIDS affected persons and their treatment because the disease is commonly linked with sexual contacts and its other roots are often over looked .The Ullema can guide people and education them in this regard to avoid distrust and keep in mind factors other than the sexual roots also. Promotion of such positive attitude can lead to create sympathy with the AIDS patients, maintenance of their secrecy and pave way for their treatment. Social boycott of the AIDS patients is imprudent, both from religious point and scientific reasons as well .The Holly Prophet himself had shared food with a leprosy patient and denoted his followers to enquire about the health of the sick people. According to Islamic injections assistance with the people without the question of religion is just like worship and therefore taking care of the AIDS patients is a sacred job. Similarly AIDS patients should not be disappointed by terming the disease as a non treatable one. Educational institutions as well as young generation should be focused properly to prevent the disease effectively. For this purpose teachers' role is very important and there is need of evolving proper strategy to ensure participation of academic institutions in battle against AIDS. The role of media also need to be reformed as it was projecting crimes .Similarly T.V dramas is harming the culture and destroying the family system .Likewise internet and cable networks are projecting foreign culture and therefore it was the responsibility of the parents to safeguard their children from the negative affects of media .Islam discourages all the factors leading to the spread of diseases and that is why the Holy prophet had cursed upon those who are allowing tattooing on their bodies. Islam has also banned the use of narcotics as narcotics are leading cause of the spread of AIDS. As most of AIDS patients had been deported from Gulf countries, therefore it is essential to contact such countries to hand over the details of this patient to Pakistani embassies. .These information must be shared with health department to have a watch over AIDS patients to prevent spread of the disease in the society. There was also need of having a vigilant eye over the substandard blood transfusion organizations, working in private sector. Moreover to ensure the destruction of the used syringes it must be made compulsory for the in charge of each unit in the public sector hospitals to submit record the destroyed syringes to the administration before living the unit. The participants were informed that strategy to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV was prepared and two centers, one at Hayat Abad Medical complex and other at KDA Hospital Kohat had been established . HIV infected women will be provided HIV testing, counseling , antiretroviral therapy, safe delivery and safe infant ,feeding practices in these center to lower the chances of the transmission of HIV to the newly born baby .
In Pakistan the registered member of HIV positive patients is 3591 while international agencies estimate.46000 to 200010 people with HIV in the country. During the last two years the number of HIV positive patients has been doubled in Pakistan and the rapid rise of infection among injecting drug user (IDUS) is a matter of concern .The provincial AIDS control program is struggles to have access to the high risk groups and 2 round of the second generation surveillance activities had been completed while mapping of the high risk groups in 6 districts of the province was in progress. A private organization was working for the prevention of HIV among prisoners and drug users with the collaboration of PACP while a firm was also hired for raising awareness level of the general population through behavioral change communication (BCC). In order to extend counseling and treatment facilities to AIDS patients, two ARV centers, each at HMC and KDA Kohat had been established. 216 AIDS patient had been provide treatment facilities at these centers up till now. Centers to control sexually transmitted infection are working in all teaching hospitals in Peshawar, abottabad, Mansehra and Kohat and free STI medicines are being extended to the patients there. Three VCT centers are also working in Peshawar and Abatabad, while free HIV and Hepatitis B and C kits have also been provided to all the Blood Banks working at teaching and DHQ hospitals. Similarly quality assurance equipment has been provided to the teaching hospitals while blood transfusion staff has been trained in the province. .Moreover sports tournaments and medical camps have been arranged at district level to create awareness about heath in the society. Likewise establishment of a health education counter at Peshawar Airport is in offing. Experts will educate migrant workers to adopt safe behavior and will convince them for voluntary test of HIV. Similarly in the near future efforts for making Pakistani migrant aware of the risky behavior would be started at Dubai. Efforts have also been made to involve influential segments in the struggle against AIDS. Parliamentarian Forum, Advocacy Committee and Interfaith Council have been formed for the purpose. PACP has also hired the services of Medas to bringing a positive behavioral change among the people and a comprehensive strategy has been developed in this regard. The firm will take steps for efficient utilization of print and electronic media to create awareness about AIDS. Apart from developing a drama on AIDS, musical concerts, helpline and SMS service will be established to disseminate messages. Similarly documentary films and other informative literature will be prepared to educate the people. The firm will also arrange sports competitions at local level to involve youth in healthy activities and utilize their services for controlling AIDS. .An audience survey is also been conducted with help Mass Communication Department, universities of Peshawar.
The sole aim behind these activities is to Sensitize Society and educated people to avoid risky behavior to avoid the threat of AIDS. |
