KARACHI, Nov 26: Only about 2,300 confirmed cases of HIV (human immuno-deficiency virus and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) have been reported in the country, so far , but, according to international agencies, the total number of Pakistanis infected with HIV/AIDS could be as high as 70,000.

This was stated by the chief of Sindh AIDS Control Programme, Dr Srichand Ochani, during a workshop held on Friday. He said a survey aimed at determining the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases had been launched, the findings of which would show whether or not the international agencies were right.

"The survey would be completed soon after which we will be in a position to arrive at the approximate number of HIV positive people," remarked Dr Ochani. The chief of Sindh AIDS Control Programme added that by March this year 2,299 cases had been reported from all over Pakistan.

"At that point in time, the federally-controlled areas had 421 cases, Punjab had 472, Sindh had 737, NWFP had 440, Balochistan had 203 and Azad Jammu and Kashmir had 26." By the end of Oct, the number of HIV/AIDS cases had jumped up to 976.

"Of this number, 874 pertained to HIV and 102 to full-blown AIDS." Experience had shown that no country could relax in the war against AIDS, added Dr Ochani. This was particularly true of countries situated next to a country having a large population of people living with HIV/AIDS.

"We should say goodbye to the complacency which has crept in due to the belief that our patterns of social behaviour are sufficient to contain the deadly condition."

In his speech, Prof Noshad A. Sheikh, the health secretary, pointed out that even paramedical staff working for government-run healthcare centres did not know too much about HIV/AIDS.

"In such circumstances, how can we expect the masses to be aware of the pitfalls in unsafe sex and unsafe transfusion of blood, etc." He admitted that the health department needed to set in order its own house before which no headway could be made in the struggle against HIV/AIDS.

He reminded the audience that Sindh was the first province in the country to promulgate a law dealing with safe transfusion of blood. The health secretary urged the media to handle with care information which could stigmatize a person for life. He added that a person living with HIV/AIDS should be treated as a human being, not just a statistic.

Faisal Malik, adviser for health to the chief minister, said seminars and workshops could never make a difference unless devoted and dedicated people attended them. He slammed some NGOs which, in his opinion, were far more interested in making a quick buck than serving the people.

He also criticized the role of international agencies that, according to him, dealt directly with the EDOs and DCOs, leading to all kinds of suspicions. "The agenda of the donor agencies is simple - to allow people from 25 to 30 countries to work here in Pakistan as bosses and lording over some Pakistanis who do all the work."

The adviser's speech drew at least one angry response in which the representative of an NGO objected to what he had said about 'bogus volunteers'. The advisor underlined the need for creating awareness among masses about deadlier disease of HIV/AIDS and urged journalists to play their important role in this regard. He said that the people be informed about the disease in their local languages and this social service must be carried out with a sense of responsibility.

The advisor, criticizing the NGOs, said a majority of them were interested in working on foreign-aided projects, whereas donor agencies often bypass the provincial government by contacting directly the EDO and they develop relationship at the district and taluka level which often leads to failures. He said more programmes would be chalked out to mark the World AIDS Day. Later, the advisor distributed certificates among participants.