The health ministry and the religious affairs ministry in collaboration with Unicef have launched an information-kit for religious leaders to prevent HIV-AIDS. Speaking at the launching ceremony of 'Information-kit for involving Religious Leaders in HIV-AIDS', NIH National Programme Manager Dr Asma Bokhari has said the 'Info-kit' is an adaptation of the global generic version, adding the text has been revised according to Islamic religion and culture.
Minister of State for Religious Affairs Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain, Lieutenant K. Karamat (Retd), national programme co-ordinator in the health ministry; Unicef Deputy Country Representative Ronald Lee also spoke on the occasion.
The religious Info-kit includes basic facts about HIV-AIDS, prevention of the disease according to Islamic teachings, mother to child transmission, care and help for orphans and widows as well as practical steps for its prevention.
Dr Asma said the next session of consultation is planned for orientation of religious leaders on key-issues involving HIV-AIDS and their implications for Muslim society, creating a resource pool of potential trainers in each province and preparation of a plan for provincial and district training.
She said the role of religious leader is more important to create awareness about the deadly disease, HIV-AIDS, adding this is a developmental issue, and the people of the country should join hands in efforts for its prevention.
"Our future priorities are to print one-page leaflet containing brief information on health issues, including HIV-AIDS for Friday sermons, the translation of the Info-kit in regional languages and training sessions at the district level", she said.
Dr Asma said: "The access to all religious leaders to win their co-operation and the participation of religious women leaders as well as the organisation of training sessions, specially in tribal areas, are our future challenges."
She said that formulation of Info-kit, a national consultation and training of trainers (ToT) was held in Islamabad for 40 religious leaders, and provincial consultative training sessions were held in Peshawar, Karachi, Quetta for 150 religious leaders.
Dr K. Karamat said that Islam is pro-active religion, and have deep concern regarding health of human beings and AIDS only gives tears, orphans, and widows.
He said with the co-operation of religious leaders the country can eradicate the disease whether scientist are able to find the vaccine of the deadly disease or not.
Ronald Lee said through raising awareness and identifying the role of religious leaders about the disease, the country can overcome the disease.
He called upon the leaders to help and extend co-operation to create awareness about HIV-AIDS in remote areas of the country.
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