KARACHI, Dec 1: Individuals founds to be HIV positive and those with full blown AIDS on Thursday appealed to the government for necessary support with specific reference to regular supply of anti-retroviral drugs, which though do not cure the disease but help improve life quality.

Around 10 such patients participated in an AIDS awareness walk organised on Thursday to commemorate the Worlds AIDS Day, held under the aegis of the Expanded Programme on HIV/ AIDS Control - Sindh.

They appreciated the organisers for their initiative to involve the actual sufferers in the AIDS control programme.

Meanwhile, Karachiites, pertaining to all age groups and from all segments of society, participated in the walk that was led by Sindh Health Minister Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani, Sindh Health Secretary, Dr Naushad Shaikh and Sindh Programme Manager for Enhanced HIV/AIDS Control.

The minister on the commencement of the walk said the government was in the process of providing all necessary measures to prevent and control further spread of the virus on strong footing.

He said that besides, those already found sharing needles for the sake of administering drugs are being sensitised towards their vulnerability to the virus.

Sindh Health Secretary Prof Naushad Shaikh, on the occasion, said that rehabilitation and detoxification centres were being established across the province.

The health minister and secretary urged the media to play their due role in dispelling myths and misconceptions regarding the spread of the ailment and publicising actual factors responsible for disease’s further spread.

The Programme Manager for Enhanced HIV/AIDS Control Programme - Sindh, Dr Shaheed Hussain Isran, said 1,278 cases of HIV/AIDS had been reported in Sindh, including 104 full blown AIDS cases and 1,174 HIV asymptomatic cases.

With regard to availability of anti-retroviral drugs, he said steps were being taken to provide these drugs in accordance with health status of patients registered with the Centre of Excellence, HIV/AIDS Control Programme.

He further mentioned that some of the HIV positive cases were being assisted by the provincial Baitul Maal to procure anti-retroviral drugs from the open market.—APP