KARACHI, Dec 11: Speakers at a function on Monday pointing to the threat of HIV/AIDS demanded that awareness of the fatal infection be created among the people, particularly the youth that are among the most vulnerable groups.

They were speaking at a function organised at the Defence Library by the Pakistan Voluntary Health and Nutrition Association (PAVHNA) in connection with the World AIDS Day, which is observed globally on December 1

The speakers said that there were more than 80,000 patients of AIDS in the country and the largest number -- between 35,000 and 45,000 -- of them were in Sindh. They said over 12,000 children in the city lived on the streets and a study had shown that over 64 per cent of them were exposed to sexual abuse, which exposed them to HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C and other infections.

They said PAVHNA with support from the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculoses and Malaria and National AIDS Control Programme had set up five drop-in centres (DICs) in Malir, Landhi, Korangi, New Karachi and North Karachi for street children.

They said that in these DICs street children got affection and attention, which they were very much deprived of. Besides, they were provided with various necessary facilities like primary healthcare, bathing and washing facilities, recreational activities, one-to-one counselling, and awareness sessions on `better life skills’, with focus on the prevention of infectious diseases.

A large number of children associated with the five DICs attended the programme. The children also presented tableaux, songs, skits, poems etc to entertain their colleagues.

A poster competition on the subject was also held. Children through their artworks expressed their level of awareness regarding the threats posed by HIV/AIDS and how to prevent HIV from becoming an epidemic in the country. Prizes were also given to the winners of the art and speech competitions.