Every year since 1988, World AIDS Day is celebrated globally to raise
HIV awareness and express solidarity with those who have succumbed to HIV and
its associated morbidities. In Pakistan an estimated 133,529 (2017) people are
living with HIVas compared to less than 110,000 in 2016 and although the
epidemic is concentrated in specific groups known as Key Populations but
isolated outbreaks in different parts of the country such as in JallalpurJata
(Gujrat), Larkana and Chiniot as well as evidence from the recent HIV
Surveillance round (IBBS-2016) suggest a spill-over into the general population
through bridging populations.
The
recently concluded surveillance round (IBBS-2016) reported an increase in HIV
prevalence in all key populations: People who inject drugs (PWID) from 37.8% to
38.4%, male sex workers (MSW) from 3.1% to 5.2%, female sex workers (FSW) from
0.8% to 2.2% and in transgenders sex workers (TG-SW) from 7.2% to 7.5%. The
National AIDS Control Programme is spearheading the HIV response in the country
with 26 HIV treatment centres and 21 Community Home based Care Sites. These
centres provide free of cost HIV treatment, testing, counselling as well as
social support to people living with HIV.
In 2016, 8,888 people living with HIV were provided free of cost of ARVs
and the number has increased to around 11,080in September, 2017. With a modified
community based prevention and testing approach, and adaption of WHO guidelines
of “Treatment for All” NACP expects the number to rise. HIV treatment in coming
years will be used a treatment and prevention tool that will contribute to a
reduction in new infections, HIV associated morbidities and AIDS related
deaths.
National
Programme Manager of National AIDs Control Programme Dr. Baseer Achakzai said
World AIDS Day is a reminder to the policy makers, health professionals and the
public that advancements in HIV testing and treatment have enabled people
living with HIV to lead healthy lives. The wide gap between people living with
HIV and those accessing HIV treatment, preventive and support services call for
increased resource mobilization, promotion of HIV literacy and addressing the
myths associated with HIV, fighting stigma and discrimination associated with
HIV and encouraging PLHIV empowerment.
The Government of Pakistan is committed to ending HIV
in the country. Financial resources have been committed by the Federal and
Provincial governments to implement a high impact prevention approach, promote
HIV education and take steps to promote uptake of HIV testing and treatment
services. We all need to join hands for an efficacious, evidence based and innovative
approach to develop synergies between all sectors contributing to the health of
the population. Efforts need to be made to increase coverage and access to HIV
information, prevention, testing and treatment services, stigma and
discrimination against HIV to prevent new infections and improve the quality of
life of those living with HI.
WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr. Assai
Ardakani
We have been
advanced in technology and HIV treatment is as easy to access as any
other disease, while the commemorating “World AIDS Day reminds us of our
commitment to end the HIV epidemic. It is an occasion to look back at our
progress, retrieve lessons and move forward towards this goal. Today, we are
better equipped than ever for moving forward. We have a wealth of
evidence-based interventions and tools that enable us to broaden prevention
options, simplify diagnosis, optimize treatment and above all save lives. All
we need to do is to put these interventions and tools within the reach of people
who need them.”
Dr. Assai said,
progress has been witnessed in HIV surveillance, prevention, treatment and
care. Between 2012 and 2016, the number of PLHIV receiving antiretroviral
treatment increased steadily to more than double. “In spite of progress,
however, the epidemic is still progressing. Pakistan features the lowest
coverage of HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care services among
regional countries. Over, 85 per cent of PLHIV who need life-saving
antiretroviral therapy do not receive it,” he flagged. He termed HIV testing as
a critical step for accessing HIV treatment and care.
Unfortunately,
Pakistan is facing a huge gap in diagnosis as only 3 out of 10 people living
with HIV know their HIV status. Same is the case with treatment; just 7 percent
of the estimated people living with HIV/AIDS are getting lifesaving ARVs. This
low case identification and treatment is due to many reasons including limited
availability of HIV testing and treatment services, inappropriate approaches to
service delivery for people who are at risk of HIV, reluctance of healthcare
providers to offer an HIV test to their clients, and stigma and discrimination.
Additionally, testing the partners of people living with HIV has long been
neglected or practiced in an unethical manner that deters people from
testing.
Dr Mamadou Sakho, UNAIDS
On
this World AIDS Day, we would like to give a message of “My Right To Health”.
The world has committed to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of
the Sustainable Development Goals. To reduce new HIV infections, a step
need to be taken towards ending the HIV epidemic as a public health threat by
2030, we need to Fast-Track the response, including renewed commitment to,
sustained funding for and scaled-up implementation of HIV prevention
programmes.
Combination
prevention, including comprehensive sexuality education, economic empowerment
and access to sexual and reproductive health services for young women and
adolescent girls and their male partners in high-prevalence locations is key to
prevent new infections among key population and vulnerable groups in Pakistan.
Evidence-informed and human rights-based prevention programmes for key
populations, including dedicated services and community mobilization and
empowerment is key to success when it comes to strengthening HIV response at
all levels. This ambitious yet wholly attainable objective represents an
unparalleled opportunity to change the course of history forever, something our
generation must do for the generations to come.
