562 children out of 681 suffer from HIV in Larkana, Senate committe told

ISLAMABAD: To the shock of Senate Standing Committee on National Health, it was informed Tuesday that out of 681 diagnosed with HIV in Larkana, 562 were children, as senators called for making use of auto destruction syringes mandatory.

The panel was told here that according to medical experts most cases were spread through the use of ‘tainted’ syringes. The main risk groups were identified as HIV drug users, transgenders, female sex workers and MSMs. It was asserted that somehow, spread of HIV in Ratodero, Larkana where needle use between the two groups was interchanged.

Chairman Committee Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh, who chaired the committee meeting, gave directives that to avoid spread of HIV and other diseases use of auto destruction syringes be made mandatory in Pakistan. A resolution was unanimously passed by the committee in this regard.

While taking note of Twitter statement of Focal Person Polio Eradication Programme against Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, who headed the programme in the previous government Mian Muhammad Ateeq Sheikh said that as Pakistanis all of us must try to fulfil our responsibilities at the best. He condemned the use of Twitter as a forum to highlight differences. Focal Person Polio Eradication Programme under the PM Secretariat, Babar Bin Atta explained his stance on this count.

Chairman committee emphasised that all must think beyond party lines for Pakistan, being the only way to move forward. While discussing challenges of the Polio Eradication Programme, the committee was informed that the biggest impediment was that there was no ownership of the programme in Pakistan and that after all of these years, it was still being viewed as a Pariah entity.

Deliberating over the issue of charging students double insurance fees while they sought to be transferred from one medical college to another, the committee took strict notice and said that payment of difference was understood but charging a double fee for transfer was unacceptable. Senator Mian Ateeq directed PMDC to review the matter thoroughly and provide the Committee with a break-up of charges. He showed concern regarding the share percentage of colleges in this equation.

While discussing details of formation of the Federal Health Regulatory Authority, the Committee was informed that a notification of the nominations of the selection committee under Section 6, Clause (1) of the Act requires approval for the federal government. In this context a summary for the Cabinet is to be submitted. Ateeq Sheikh gave directives that it must be included in the TORs that members must be elected within a month so that pending matters may be addressed at the earliest.

Reviewing the issue of submission of report of quarterly progress report of accreditations case from level 2 to 3 concerning NIH and DRAP, the Committee was informed that WHO revised the global bench marking tool in 2019. DRAP has now re-summarised its responses in the new computerised Global Benchmarking Tool and submitted to WHO on 16th May, 2019. WHO assessment team will share its response on DRAP’s self-assessment during this period. Moreover WHO intends to conduct first audit inspection of DRAP in September 2019 and second audit visit will be in October, 2019.

While discussing the point of public importance raised by Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh regarding Shifa International Hospital, the committee was informed that this was never a charitable organisation and the land acquired for the hospital was not granted by the government but was bought according to market rates at that time. However, chairman Committee instructed the hospital administration to provide details to the Committee, regarding whether or not Shifa International Hospital is a charitable entity and a teaching hospital. Details of MOU with CDA and any other organisation were asked for as well.

While deliberating over the case of doctors educated in Afghanistan’s medical colleges the Committee was informed that according to rules they are not allowed to practice in Pakistan, whereas, foreign doctors working with NGOs in Pakistan are granted NOCs to practice in Pakistan. They are also given PG permission. The Committee gave directives to PMDC to curb issuance of NOCs until this matter is resolved. It also gave instructions for preparatory classes to be conducted so that Pakistani doctors with international degrees may be prepared for tests mandatory for practice in Pakistan at nominal rates.

The meeting was attended among others by Senator Manzoor Ahmed Kakar, Prof. Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani, Senator Dr. Asad Ashraf, Senator Dr. Sikandar Mandhro, Senator Liaquat Khan Tarakai and senior officers from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Services along with all concerned.