Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Country Director Yuki Takemoto has urged Pakistan to strengthen its response to HIV.
He said this during a meeting with Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel to discuss the plans for the upcoming World Aids Day 2022. The current situation of the health sector, especially AIDS, and the challenges faced were discussed in the meeting. The Federal Minister said that the current government is paying special attention to the health sector, and is ensuring effective measures to eradicate AIDS.
“Steps are being taken under an integrated strategy to eradicate AIDS, furthermore, the federal government is working with the provincial government to ensure serious measures to eradicate AIDS,” Patel said.
The country director assured full support for the eradication of AIDS in Pakistan, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health said. It is pertinent to mention here that according to UNAIDS data, around 210000 people including 4600 children are suffering from HIV/AIDS in Pakistan. Furthermore, 41000 women aged 15 and over are living with HIV.
Every year Worlds AIDS Day is celebrated on the 1st of December to highlight the issues related to HIV/AIDS and create awareness among the masses to prevent more falling prey to this fatal disease.
