A seminar on Friday called for disseminating information about HIV and AIDS through Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) as this will yield positive results because of their close liaison with people. The Human Development Society (HDS) arranged the advocacy seminar on HIV and AIDS with local NGOs representatives.
Speaking on the occasion, District Nazim Ghotki Ali Gohar Khan Mahar said creation of awareness about HIV and AIDS was need of the hour, and this objective could be achieved through representatives of NGOs who had direct access to the masses. The Nazim said he was surprised after hearing a report that 10 inmates of the District Jail were allegedly infected with this fatal virus.
He said though he had ordered an inquiry to ascertain the truthfulness of the report, the media should avoid publishing such alarming news without checking their veracity. Ali Gohar Mahar lauded the role of Human Development Society in curbing HIV/Aids and assured full support to the HDS on behalf of the district government to stem AIDS disease.
A HDS representative Dr Naila Bhutto gave a presentation on HIV and AIDS and its current status in Pakistan. He explained difference between HIV and AIDS, mode of transmission and method of prevention including factors that put the people under risk of transmission of the infection and its symptoms. She also stressed initiating early diagnostic process to avoid complications.
The organisers told the participants that objective of the seminar was to inform the representatives of the local NGOs about the national HIV and AIDS situation and orientating and sensitising them about its prevention methods. They said that representatives of the local NGOs could promote awareness more conveniently because of their direct access to the people at grassroots level and reduce the scourge and sufferings associated with AIDS.