PESHAWAR, Jan 19: The ministry of health has formulated a draft national Aids policy.

The draft has been prepared by the National Aids Control Programme (NACP) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), which ensures collection of data on people living with Aids and initiation of steps accordingly, according to an official.

The policy is aimed at giving legal protection to the provision of care, treatment and social support to people living with HIV/Aids patients, says another official.

The proposed policy, which is to be presented before the federal government, gives legal cover to HIV/Aids control programme activities with special focus on the care and cure of women and children affected by the disease, he adds.

The NACP sought the WHO's assistance in developing a comprehensive policy for Pakistan, said Dr Quaid Saeed, national professional officer of the WHO for HIV/Aids.

Talking to Dawn, he said the global health agency had hired the services of an international consultant along with a Pakistani to help in ensuring that the draft law conformed to local traditions.

The UN’s health agency has imparted training to officials from the NACP on policy development process in Mumbai followed by consultations with the stakeholders.

In the meantime, a draft of legislative framework was also prepared in Pakistan, he said.

Other important activities to have helped in policy development process are mid-term review and revision of the National Strategic Framework, he adds.

In-depth discussions were held with officials from all provinces, including the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Federally-Administered Northern Areas and the Azad Kashmir, he said.

The new draft law puts an end to discrimination against such patients making sure women and children were equally looked after and given support in the light of socio-cultural and religious conditions, he asserted.

Furthermore, efforts are made to coordinate with all agencies and organisations to cope with the problem.

The law puts in place a technical advisory committee comprising experts who will help those fighting the disease and pave way for Safe Blood Act, access to treatment and counselling of patients.