Health professionals and others have emphasised the need for multi-sectoral coordination among organisations, researchers and implementers for AIDS Control Programme to effectively deal with the HIV/AIDS. Speaking at a meeting of Punjab AIDS Control Programme in Lahore, Punjab Minister for Health Saleema Hashmi stressed the need for continuity and sustainability in the policies for the success of Punjab AIDS Control Programme.
She recognised HIV as an acute issue that could develop into a major issue in the years to come if left unchecked. Programme Manager of Punjab AIDS Control Programme, Dr Salman Shahid, Dean, Institute of Public Health Professor Dr Muaz Ahmed and other representatives from UN agencies, USAID, World Bank and ActionAid were present on the occasion.
In the meeting, Dr Farhan Emmanuel introduced the Programme Science Global Programme, followed by Dr Tahira Ezra Reza's presentation where she spoke about the proposed Programme Science activities in Punjab. The Programme Science Group memberships were also finalised in this meeting. Dr Salman Shahid, Programme Manager PACP also updated the participants about the activities and HIV response of PACP in Punjab. Meanwhile, Punjab AIDS Control Programme and Center for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba also conducted a seminar in collaboration with the Institute of Public Health as a part of the Human Resource Development Programme.
The chief guest of the seminar was the vice-chancellor of the University of Health Sciences, Major General Muhammad Aslam. Others were also present at the seminar. The main objective of the seminar was to introduce the Human Resource Development Programme, whereby representatives from NGOs, IPH, researchers from civil society and the HIV programme participated to improve their capacity in the realms of research, epidemiology, public health and programming.
The seminar was opened by Dr Maaz, Dean of Institute of Public Health, where he elaborated on the mission, achievements and goals of the IPH. Next, Dr Farhan Emmanuel, Associate Professor of the Center for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba presented about the emerging HIV/AIDS epidemic globally and in Pakistan. He informed the participants about the current status of HIV/AIDS in Pakistan, risk settings, gaps and opportunities.
Tayyaba Rashid, Treatment Co-ordinator PACP, presented information about the services and treatment provided by the government in response to the HIV epidemic. Dr Muhammad Shahid Iqbal, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, IPH also presented about infectious diseases and the causes and necessary response needed by the Public Health sector to deal with such issues. Dr Salman Shahid, Programme Manager PACP, also presented an overview about the government's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.