PESHAWAR, June 30: NWFP Health Minister Inayatullah Khan on Thursday emphasized the need for an integrated plan to check the spread of HIV/Aids and hepatitis. Speaking at a seminar organized by the provincial HIV/Aids Control Programme for members of the NWFP Assembly, the minister said hepatitis was a major public health issue, while the country had low prevalence but high risk of HIV/Aids.

He said the situation could become grave if proper preventive steps were not taken.

Chief Minister Mohammad Akram Khan Durrani, Speaker Shahzada Gustasip Khan provincial ministers and MPAs attended the seminar.

The health minister said an integrated strategy was indispensable for controlling Aids and hepatitis as the mode of transmission of both the diseases was the same.—Bureau Report