Malik urges provinces to declare health emergency against HIV/AIDS

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate’s Committee on Interior Senator Abdul Rehman Malik on Tuesday asked the provinces for legislation following the model of Sindh government and to declare `health emergency` to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS on war footings.

A delegation led by Dr. Maria Elena Borromeo, UNAIDS Country Director Pakistan accompanied by Quinten Laitaire Human Right Adviser, UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia Pacific and Ms. Fehmida Iqbal Khan, Community Support Adviser, called on Senator Rehman Malik on Tuesday at his office in Islamabad.

They discussed in detail the current status of HIV epidemic, its prevention and treatment efforts by UNAIDS and government of Pakistan.

The delegation apprised Senator Rehman Malik about HIV/AIDS and its current statistics in Pakistan.

Senator Rehman Malik highly appreciated the Country Director UNAIDS Dr. Maria Elena Borromeo, for her keen interest to accelerate HIV response in Pakistan and in creating awareness about HIV/AIDS.

He said that this is the service to humanity to fight against any disease and he specially thanked Secretary General United Nations for his personal interest to end HIV/AIDS in Pakistan. He appealed the international community to support Pakistan in curbing HIV/AIDS and assured his full cooperation to UNAIDS, especially in legislation.

Dr. Maria Elena Borromeo thanked Senator Rehman Malik and said that UNAIDS will extend full cooperation and support to Pakistan to end HIV/AIDS and they agreed to move forward with collective efforts.