KARACHI, Jan 17: The first meeting of the Provincial AIDS Task Force was held here on Saturday under the chairmanship of Mr Noman Saigal, Advisor to chief minister on Health , at the Provincial Implementation Unit, Sindh AIDS Control Programme.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Anzar Zaidi, Secretary, Planning and Development, Sindh, Dr Qadir Bux, Director-General, Health Services, Iqbal Dewan, Additional Secretary Development, Health, Prof Dr Jan Muhammad, Vice-Chancellor, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Dr Asma Bokhari, National Program Manager, AIDS Control Program, Islamabad, Capt Abdul Majid Siddiqui, Superintendent Jail, District Malir and other officials concerned.

Dr Sharaf Ali Shah, Provincial Programme Manager (AIDS), presented the terms of references of the Aids Task Force and said that the Force will meet once a year at PIU.

He said the Enhanced HIV/AIDS Control Programme would be responsible for monitoring and evaluation of all programme activities to bring about positive interaction among all the agencies working for AIDS control.

He said the Force would strive to create political commitment at the top and middle management levels regarding the programme, and would issue policy guidelines, besides working to resolve the financial and physical constraints that would arise from time to time.

Dr Asma Bokhari, briefing the members about the national policy on AIDS control, called for political commitment at all level, and stressed enhanced research activities.

Mr Saigal, stressing the involvement of committed people of society in the Task Force, said to address the issue of HIV/AIDS, motivated people only were needed.

He appreciated the efforts of Sindh AIDS Control Programme and offered his full support for it.

He called for improving blood transfusion services, counselling and education of young people in the province.

The meeting raised the issue of blood donations from prisoners as there were more chances of contacting HIV and Hepatitis from prisoners.-APP