February 01, 2008	Friday	Muharram 22, 1429

KARACHI, Jan 31: The Sindh Aids Control Programme (SACP) has embarked upon a series of community-based projects for prevention and treatment of HIV/Aids in close coordination with the private sector.

SACP Manager Dr Arshad Mehmood stated this in a briefing given to the National Aids Control Programme (NACP). Different projects initiated under public-private partnership would cater to addicts of injectable drugs, eunuchs, female sex workers and jail inmates, he told NACP Manager Dr Hasan Zaheer.

He said NGOs working across Sindh for support and rehabilitation of HIV carriers and Aids patients were actively involved in the SACP projects.

Arrangements between SACP and relevant NGOs/CBOs were absolutely transparent with an in-built mechanism of accountability and performance evaluation, he added.

Individuals with suspected HIV were being provided all available diagnostic-cum-testing facilities while the confirmed HIV carriers were helped in getting the required tests, besides treatment.

Those with full-blown Aids were being provided treatment and cover against opportunistic infections.

SACP Deputy Programme Manager Dr Qamar Abbas gave a presentation and said that HIV/Aids testing centres were functional across the province and the facilities to diagnose and treat the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were also available.

Dr Hasan Zaheer highlighted the importance of “Strong Support System” for HIV/Aids patients.—APP