HIV/AIDS prevention session held for senior journalists in Gilgit

Gilgit, December 10: The Gilgit-Baltistan chapter of Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) held a HIV/AIDS prevention session for the senior journalists in Gilgit.

Addressing the participants, the PRCS Coordinator for HIV/AIDS apprised the participants about the efforts of PRCS in reducing myths and misconceptions at various levels. He said the HIV/AIDS program of PRCS is targeting the population at risk including intravenous drug users, male and female sex workers, border traders, jail inmates and migrant workers so to make them aware about this infectious virus.

PRCS Provincial Health Officer Dr. Muhammad Younas said that the National Aids Control Program had identified four HIV/AIDS patients in Gilgit-Baltistan but the department is now dysfunctional due to lack of resources and the patients are under treatment in a private hospital in Lahore. He said the disease has affected 50% population of the African countries and the virus is fast spreading in western countries. To combat this menace, WHO, Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and other organizations have increased focus to raise awareness.

Dr. Younas urged journalists to highlight the issue and influence the local authorities to facilitate blood testing service in hospitals.