SHAFAQNA PAKISTAN (Shia News Agency)
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic is rapidly progressing among key populations at higher risk of infection, such as sex workers especially male sex workers, drug users and homosexuals, truck drivers, expatriated migrant workers and jail prisoners. It is is claiming more lives in Pakistan than ever, says a first-of-its-kind analysis of trend data from 188 countries. There has been an 13 per cent increase in mortality rates from HIV/Aids in Pakistan, according to the study that examines data from 2000 to 2014. However, it reports a decline in the death rates from tuberculosis (TB) and malaria in Pakistan since 2000, when the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were established to stop the spread of these diseases by 2015. According to estimates, currently, the national average prevalence of HIV among Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs) is nearly 37.8 per cent and the number of people living with HIV in Pakistan is nearly 100,000. The most advanced stage of HIV infection, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has killed about 5,000 people in Pakistan so far. Worldwide, deaths from HIV/Aids declined at a rate of 1.5 per cent between 2000 and 2013, while tuberculosis deaths declined by 3.7 pc.Pakistan, however, is experiencing the opposite with HIV/Aids, according to the study. Mortality rates from HIV/Aids in Pakistan (1.5 deaths per 100,000), according to the study, were higher than what was found in Afghanistan and Iran for 2013 (each were fewer than one death per 100,000) but remained lower than in India (6.6 deaths per 100,000). Pakistan on Tuesday submitted a proposal to the Global Fund, seeking $11 million to continue its fight against HIV/AIDs. At the same time, Pakistan is requesting $1 million from UNAIDS to carry out a national survey to find out the accurate number of people living with the deadly disease. However it is estimated that in Pakistan 91,000 people are living with HIV/AIDs out of which only 10,000-12,000 are registered. The government is still clueless about the rest of the 80,000 people who are living across the country and are a potential threat to its spread. Individuals can reduce the risk of HIV infection by limiting exposure to risk factors. The recommendations include male circumcision, partner reduction, offering ART for the HIV positive partner, correct and constant use of condoms, and interventions targeting most at risk populations, also known as “Combined Prevention”. He added that post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with ARV drugs within 72 hours of exposure to HIV is often recommended for health-care workers following needle stick injuries in the workplace.
pakistan.shafaqna.com
