feel empowered to take correct and informed decisions ,” he stated.
WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr. Assai Ardakani said, “We should all try our best to ensure access of people living with HIV/AIDS to affordable, comprehensive, quality-based HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and treatment in an environment free from stigma and discrimination. Young people can play a positive role in their own society, identifying facts from myths. WHO, being a technical agency, is trying its best to build the capacity of healthcare providers, enabling them to prevent and control the menace of HIV/AIDS and improve the quality of healthcare in the country.”
Dr. Sofia Furqan, Senior Programme Officer, NACP, gave a detailed presentation on what HIV/AIDS is, its treatment and prevention, as well as the stigma attached to it. National Coordinator Asghar Satti spoke on the role of the Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS. He said, “Community and social mobilization is instrumental in raising awareness in masses and eliminating misconceptions associated with HIV/AIDS.” He also highlighted the role that the young generation can play to reverse the tide of the HIV epidemic. Earlier on, the seminar began with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Dr Faisal Aftab, welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of the topic.
The global HIV epidemic claimed fewer lives in 2015 than at any point in almost 20 years. Prevention programmes reduced the number of new HIV infections per year to 2.1 million in 2015, a 35% decline in incidence since 2000. The massive expansion of antiretroviral therapy has reduced the number of people dying of HIV related causes to approximately 1.1 million 2015 – 45% fewer than in 2005.
WHO, UNAIDS and NACP are working together in close collaboration for the prevention and control of the spread of HIV/AIDS. Having achieved the global target of halting and reversing the spread of HIV, world leaders have set the 2020 “Fast-Track” targets to accelerate the HIV response and to end AIDS by 2030.