110 AIDS cases have been detected in the tribal areas with highest number of patients 49 found in Kurram Agency followed by North Waziristan where their number is 27. This was told in a workshop held here by Dr Muhammad Zubair Khan, Director Health Services Fata. He said that the government has revived AIDS control programme in the tribal area.
He said that in connections with the programme, special workshops for health professionals and a campaign in the media to inform the public about dangers of the disease and how to take precautionary measures in this regard would be launched shortly. A sum of Rs 56.900 million has been allocated for anti-AIDS programme in the tribal territories.
A series of workshops are part of anti-AIDS initiatives in tribal belt to properly train and educate doctors and health workers as how to counter the ailment through latest medical facilities and educate the public to take adequate preventive steps. Under the programme, village health committees would be set up to help the vulnerable groups.
Dr Muhammad Zubair Khan, who is also patron of HIV/AIDS Control Programme said that we are focusing more on preventive measures than curative ones as the lethal disease is incurable thus necessitating more concentration on prevention methodologies mainly through mass awareness.
Referring to 110 cases detected so far, he said it is just a tip of iceberg because the people are reluctant to undergo tests for the ailment because of typical tribal customs and traditions. The problem, he added, was exacerbated by the fact that there are no NGOs or social welfare organisations in Fata to substantiate the government efforts about creating awareness and educating the public about the disease.
Dr Iftekhar Ali, Manager AIDS Control Programme told the participants that most patients in Fata are those who were deported from UAE and other Gulf states after having been tested positive for HIV/AIDS. He said that due to peculiar tribal sensitivities, the people are reluctant to undergo tests hence the menace remains unchecked. Training, he added would also be imparted to agency surgeons to enable them to play a more affective supervisory role in their respective agencies.
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