Concern over increase in HIV/AIDS cases

LAHORE:A seminar held in connection with World AIDS Day has expressed concern over increase in HIV/AIDS cases despite pouring in of millions of dollars to contain the virus.

Dr Zafar Bashir Chaudhry, ECHO Chairman, urged the government to fix the responsibility of laxity and negligence on part of department and its officials for loss of funds and prevent pilferage of funds for the welfare and treatment of AIDS patients and control and prevention of the virus among the public.

He said that approximately 40 million people have lost their lives to AIDS since 1981, while currently 37 million people are still infected by HIV/AIDS in the world. He said that HIV was curable but still at least 2 million people including 250,000 children die every year.

Dr Abid Mahmood Ch emphasised the need to create awareness among people to stop the spread of virus among the people, besides, prevention, control and treatment of the disease.

Dr Rana Mustafa said that an awareness campaign has been launched with red ribbon, posters exhibition, brochures, guest speakers, performers, e-cards, banners and torches to enlighten people about prevention, control and treatment of HIV/AIDS.