Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are misusing Hiv/Aids funds provided by the World Bank and the government for creating awareness and control. Syed Sardar Ahmed, Sindh Senior Minister for Health and Co-ordination, stated this at a seminar on 'International Day on Safety and Health' jointly organised by International Labour Organisation, UNAIDS and Employers' Federation of Pakistan (EFP), here on Saturday.
Sindh health minister said that the role of NGOs is very vital because they have access to masses and they are also good source of communication to grassroots level. NGOs were trusted and provided funds for achieving desired results but unfortunately 70 percent World Bank share and 30 percent government share was not utilising properly, he blamed.
He said that government had suggested WB to proper monitor the utilisation of funds. He said that government had initiated several projects for providing social security to country's labourers and in this regards Sindh government had achieved certain targets.
The minister admitted that country's GDP is increasing but at the same time inequality is also rising, which creating imbalance in the societies. He also admitted that government's low budgetary allocation for health and education was another reason for lesser growth in these two sectors.
Politicians should have vision for developing nation's health and improving education that can be translated into country's growth, he said. On the occasion Ashraf Tabani, President EFP, said that safety and health has become important for the employers, worker organisations and all other stakeholders that they have come closer to each other in creating awareness and promoting actions. He said that safety at work couldn't be ensured without creating safety culture and involving workers/employers participation.
He urged the need to tackle the Hiv/Aids problem by all stakeholders in a co-ordinated and concerted manner. It is estimated that more than one percent of the adults aged between 15-49 are living with Hiv/Aids in Pakistan, he said. He appreciated the efforts of the ILO and UNAIDS for assisting states especially Pakistan in fighting the menace.
On the occasion Afsar Ahmed Syed, Representative ILO Sub-Regional Office, New Delhi and Aldo Landi, UNAIDS Country Director, UNAIDS, Pakistan gave detailed presentations on current situation of HIV/AIDS in Asia and particularly in Pakistan.
Gotabaya K. B. Dasanayaka, Senior Specialist Employers Activities, ILO-Sub-Regional Office, New Delhi, Shadia Yousif Bakhait, Country Representative UNIDO, Donglin Li, Director ILO, Islamabad and Muhammad Ahmed, Chairman, Pakistan Workers Federation also spoke on the occasion.
An award distributing ceremony on best practices-occupational safety and health was also held. Successful companies were awarded included Pak Suzuki Motors Company Limited, Pakistan Refinery Limited, Aga Khan University Hospital, Roche Pakistan limited, Pakistan State Oil Company Limited, Engro Vopak Terminal Limited and AES Lal Pir (Pvt) Limited.
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