Aldo Landi, Country Director, UNAIDS Pakistan, expressing his reservations regarding the reported figure of 3000 plus HIV/AIDS cases in the country, has called for realistic approach to identify exact numbers and measures to handle the situation.
He was speaking at a candle lighting session organised by Sindh AIDS Control Program, in the memory of those who died of AIDs across the globe during last many years.
Landi who is also a technical expert, representing UN in the region observed that people in Pakistan in general and policy makers as well as health care professionals in particular must not be complacent.
Elaborating his stance, he said there was every possibility that the number of cases may be under-reported in face of constant surge in the number of people, categorised amongst high-risk groups, complimented by stigma attached to the infection.
"Country that has a considerably high number of addicts, who are also being increasingly witnessed resorting to used of syringes, sharing these syringes and maintaining active relationship with their spouses enhances every possibility that actual HIV prevalence may be much higher," he elaborated.