LAHORE: Like Pakistan, the World AIDS Day is being observed globally on December 1 since 1988 for raising awareness about preventive measures and proper treatment of HIV positive patients. Public sector and private healthcare institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals around the globe observe the day with variety of functions for awareness about AIDS prevention and control. It has been estimated that around 33 million people around the world have been infected with HIV and that around two million people die of the disease every year. “The day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in high prevalence countries and around the world, said S Zulfiqar, a consultant, at an even in the metropolis to mark the World AIDS Day organised by the Youth Council for Anti Narcotics (YOCFAN) on Wednesday. He said that the needle exchange programme was a debatable subject all over the world including Pakistan. But keeping in view the Drug Demand Reduction Programme, the YOCFAN realises that free syringe programme is a major cause of promoting addiction in the society, and that the government should draw attention to address problems of drug addicts. He said a new campaign, arranged under the auspices of the Drug Advisory Training Hub – a project of the Youth Council for Anti Narcotics (YOCFAN) and the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) in connection with the World AIDS Day – is aimed at providing counselling sessions to the HIV patients. Parliamentary Secretary Mian Munir and social worker Shahid Qadar were chief guests on the occasion. Psychologists Kubram Imtiaz, Dr Ikramul Islam also spoke at the event, which was crowded with students and representatives from different NGOs. Speaking on the occasion, Zulfiqar Hussain said the total population of Lahore was 12 million, and that it was unfortunate that thousands of drug addicts were involved in using hard and soft drugs in public places. He said Lahore was ranked second (after Karachi) where drug addiction was very high. He said that most of those addicts were IDUs. “In recent years, the number of IDUs has increased in Lahore. We have started this new campaign for IDUs and hope we will give a positive message against drugs,” he added. He said the government must announce the drug policy at the provincial level, and it should invite all stakeholders before formation of the policy. “The government must ensure that all controlled drugs being sold at medical stores are given to consumers only on prescription of a medical doctor,” he said, adding that the Health Department must check drug abuse through proper inspection. Meanwhile Dr Faisal Sultan, chief executive officer and infectious disease consultant at the Shaukat Khamum hospital has said that the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is still one of the greatest public health challenges faced by low and middle-income countries. “There are 36.7 million individuals living with AIDS in the world,” he said, adding that the HIV is mainly transmitted through blood and sexual intercourse. He said, a social stigma was associated with the AIDS and there was a need to create public awareness about the fact that AIDS could not be transmitted just by having a conversation or eating together. “We should treat AIDS patients with compassion,” he said.