HIV cases on the rise

Six districts including Quetta, Gwadar declared high-risk areas

Quetta: Due to the lack of awareness in Balochistan, the number of patients diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, has increased by 15 per cent this year. According to the data provided by the Aids Control Programme Balochistan, over two thousand (acquire immunodeficiency syndrome) AIDS cases were reported this year in Balochistan against 1,745 in 2021.

The incurable disease is spreading in Balochistan rapidly. Young people, especially transgender and drug addicts, are falling prey to AIDS. Experts have expressed fear that the expected number may go up in the coming year. Director General Health Balochistan Dr Noor Ahmed Qazi said, “AIDS spreads more because of unprotected sex and also because drug users use infected syringes that spread the disease.

In addition, the use of unsafe tools like dental equipment and hair-cutting tools also spread the deadly disease,” Dr Qazi added. He said that screening was going on in all the districts of Balochistan due to which more cases were being reported now. “We have also started a treatment centre which provides free medicines across Balochistan,” he added.

“The number of AIDS cases is high in Quetta, Turbat, Gwadar, Zhob, Sheerani and Nasirabad. We have launched awareness programmes in government institutions along with treatment, “he added.

“We are doing our work within the resources available to us, but we are also getting support from donors,” he said. “The only solution to reduce the number of HIV cases is to create awareness among the people,” Dr Qazi remarked.

In view of the increasing number of cases, the Health Department of Balochistan has declared six districts which include Quetta, Gwadar, Turbat, Zhob, Shirani and Nasirabad as high-risk areas.

The main reason for the spread of HIV is the lack of awareness. The authorities themselves admit that the government has not taken sufficient measures in this regard The Health Department of Balochistan says that the provincial AIDS control programme has provided free test facilities in all district hospitals this year. While three new centres have also been established, health experts say that citizens should be careful and get tested for HIV.

Every year, December 1st is declared World AIDS Day, and this year too seminars, walks and other activities have been organised in Pakistan to create awareness about this disease. Provincial AIDS Control Programme Manager Dr Afzal Khan Zarkoon has said that the number of HIV patients has increased in Balochistan this year, which is a matter of concern for all of us. “It is very important to control the growing AIDS epidemic in Balochistan.”

Concern was expressed over the increase in the number of AIDS patients and it was told that only in Quetta, the number of patients has increased by 250 this year compared to last year, which is an alarming situation. Provincial Manager Dr Afzal Khan Zarkoon said that the increase in the AIDS epidemic is worrying for all of us.

The government of Balochistan should provide resources to the provincial AIDS control programme to prevent this epidemic, while other donor organisations should also come forward so that AIDS in Balochistan can be prevented.