KARACHI, Sept 5: Sindh Enhanced AIDS Control Programme under a five-year project is attempting to prevent the mortality among the population by keeping the HIV/AIDS epidemic at the current level of below one per cent in the adult population.

Talking to APP here on Monday, Sindh AIDS Control Programme Manager Dr Suresh Kumar said that the project was aimed at improving the human capital with specific reference to the health status of the masses.

“It would contribute to maintain HIV prevalence at less than five per cent in vulnerable groups and those sub-populations which are at increased risk for acquiring HIV infection,” he said.

The main objective of the project is to increase prevalence of behaviours and availability of improved services to tackle sexually transmitted infections among vulnerable populations. Expansion of interventions for vulnerable population; improved HIV prevention by general public; prevention of HIV/STI transmission; capacity building and programme management were identified as sub-components of the project.

Voluntary HIV testing and counselling, treatment of STIs, safe promiscuity and peer education are already being promoted as part of expanded interventions for vulnerable population, Dr Kumar said.

Use of new sterilized syringes for all injections, reduction in number of injections received, voluntary blood donation, tolerant and caring behaviours towards people living with HIV/AIDS and are being covered under advocacy and behavioural change sub-component of the project.—APP