August 23, 2008	Saturday	Sha'aban 20, 1429

GUJRAT, Aug 22: Ten people are believed to have died of HIV/AIDS in the last six months in the Joggi locality, 20 kilometres from here, while over 100 people in the area have been found HIV/AIDS positives, Dawn has learnt.

The Joggi locality is home to 4,000 people. Residents believe that two people, both HIV/AIDS carrier and deported from Muscat and Saudi Arabia eight years ago, had infected the area with the deadly disease. Upon their return, they consulted a quack in Joggi but both died a few years later.

“The other reason for the spread of HIV in the area is the presence of male and female sex workers, addicts and quacks,” said Health Executive District Officer (EDO) Dr Munir Ahmed.

The prevalence of the disease first came to limelight after a non-government organisation set up its camp in the Joggi locality on Aug 6.

Sources in the health department claim the NGO screened more than 350 people, of which 45 men, 35 women and 10 children were HIV/AIDS positive.

The EDO said his department would start screening the people in the Joggi locality next week. After the test, the exact number of the patients would be ascertained. Dr Ahmed said the residents of nearby localities of Tanda and Bharaj would also be screened.

Sajjadur Rehman, a schoolteacher, says that quacks were responsible for the spread of the HIV in the area. He says that the health department sealed a clinic in the area but the quack started his illegal practice in his house.

Residents alleged some prostitutes in the Joggi locality were also spreading HIV/AIDS. The EDO said that the department was trying to persuade sex workers to adopt safe-sex methods. He said the government would provide free medicines and treatment to the infected people.

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Jalalpur Jattan, has urged the health department to take swift measures against the spreading menace. The PMA will organise a walk in the city to raise awareness among the public about HIV/AIDS.