I have the utmost pleasure to mark the World AIDS Day 2015 with the theme "Getting to Zero" organised by the Sindh AIDS Control program reflecting commitment of the concerned officials to highlight the issue of mounting health hazard posed by HIV/AIDS.
The goal set by the concerned department including contain the spread of HIV/AIDS among the general population to less than 1% and to ensure adequate provision of services and facilities to the affected individuals, families and communities for creating enabling environment is a monumental task which deserves appreciation. Pakistan is country under epidemiological transition where almost 40% of the burden of disease is accounted for by the infection/communicable diseases. The program has a strong relationship with the sectoral objectives as well as govt. commitment to sustainable development goals. Sindh is the only province having HIV Act viz The Sindh HIV AIDS control, treatment and protection Act 2013. It is encouraging sign that the Sindh AIDS control program is carrying out all its services which are located in the public sector like 46 sexually transmitted infection clinics, 05 voluntarily confidential counselling and testing centers, 05 HIV/AIDS treatment and care centers and districts AIDS task force at district level to control HIV epidemic in Sindh.
Sindh AIDS control program has also formulated the districts AIDS task force to develop positive interaction between provincial AIDS control program, district management, related sectors and line departments in the process of prevention and control HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections in the districts and their adjoining areas. It will be well co-ordinated and collaborated approach to fight against the disease in the province.