THE outbreak of HIV/AIDS cases in Ratodero — around 730 thus far, including nearly 600 children — must focus the authorities’ attention on the appalling gaps in healthcare in Sindh that have created the conditions for such a distressing situation. Given the incident has occurred in Larkana, the home district of the PPP government’s top leadership, makes it all the more indicative of the wider malaise in the province. The team of international health experts that arrived on Tuesday to investigate the reasons for the spread of the disease has also handed over an emergency supply of HIV/AIDS medication to the provincial health authorities. Undoubtedly, an outbreak of HIV/AIDS creates heightened alarm in the general public perhaps because it is incurable and the stigma around it has grave social consequences. However, ensuring that such a tragic situation does not arise again necessitates not ad hoc but overall long-term changes in healthcare. This would also curb the spread of other diseases needlessly caused by criminal negligence on the part of the authorities as well as a lack of adherence to basic principles of healthcare by medical professionals, let alone those masquerading as doctors.

Healthcare facilities in interior Sindh are grossly inadequate and understaffed. Significant shortages of medical supplies, aside from a deliberate disregard for patients’ health, also contribute to the illegal practice of reusing syringes. The dearth of government facilities has led to a mushroom growth of private clinics, often run by quacks out to make a quick buck from an unsuspecting public — Sindh’s Anti-Quackery Directorate has sealed over 300 clinics since the HIV outbreak came to light,. Notwithstanding legislation about the screening of blood, a shockingly lax regulatory regime allows infected blood to enter the system. That Pakistan has one of the highest rates of injection use in the world compounds the problem further. A public awareness campaign discouraging injections/drips, tightening regulatory protocols and ensuring adequately stocked and sufficiently staffed healthcare centres is the only way to learn from this calamity.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2019