Daily Times

The UN in Pakistan has announced a close collaboration with the federal and provincial governments to quickly respond to the HIV outbreak in Larkana.

In a press statement, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan Neil Buhne said, “We stand ready to support the government in strengthening the health system in Pakistan to cope with and prevent such tragedies from happening again.”

The peacemaking body is working closely for the provision of the necessary treatment, care and support to HIV affectees.

Pakistan has become the second country in Asia and the Pacific with the fastest growing HIV epidemic.

As many as 20,000 new people tested positive for HIV infection in 2017.

Several HIV outbreaks have occurred in the past years, the most recent of which was detected amongst the residents of Ratodero Taluka in Larkana, Sindh.

As of May 6, 186 people, mostly children, had been found infected with the virus.

Sindh Ministry of Health is said to be leading an epidemiological investigation using support from international partners to understand the cause, extent and the chain of HIV transmission.

Ministry of National Services, Regulation and Coordination (MNHSRC) and Sindh Health Ministry have called on all health care facilities to strictly follow universal precautions. They have been directed to use clean and sterile equipment to administer injections and transfuse blood.

Sindh Ministry of Health also claimed that it had reinforced policies to put an end to the unlicensed informal medical practices.

Other agencies including UNAIDS, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO) are closely collaborating to ensure that the UN’s collective action complements the government’s efforts to effectively address the critical gaps in preventing new HIV infections.

Seeking UN’s support, international expertise and adaptation of good practices from other countries facing similar challenges would also be brought in where needed.

The UN is also o working for the rights and privacy of all infected and affected people. It seeks to guarantee that persons living with HIV live with dignity; without fear of stigma and discrimination.

It is quite unfair that HIV affects the most vulnerable and marginalised members of society, including children and young people.

While no vaccine or cure has been found yet, the deadly disease can be prevented and treated.