PESHAWAR, Nov 30: Women activists of civil society organizations held a walk on Tuesday and called upon the health department to make proper arrangements for symptomatic treatment of HIV/Aids patients at public sector hospitals.

The walk was organized by the All Women Advancement and Resource Development in front of the health secretariat. The participants carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans demanding treatment and counselling facilities for HIV/Aids patients at government hospitals.

The organization's chief executive, Maimoona Noor, criticized the health department and said patients, especially women and girls, who were most vulnerable group, were finding it difficult to get medical help.

She said her organization was trying to provide counselling to patients, but it was facing problems due to lack of resources. "Illiteracy and lack of awareness regarding the disease are major problems.