KARACHI, Dec 9: A review mission of the World Bank expressing satisfaction over the performance of Sindh Health Department emphasized on accelerating the ongoing Enhanced HIV/AIDS Control Programme and proper utilization of funds in specified time.

In a meeting with Health Secretary Dr Noshad A. Shaikh at Sindh Secretariat on Thursday, the delegation apprised him of their observations and findings during their three-day visit to various prisons in Karachi, Hyderabad and red light areas (areas of sex workers).

The World Bank mission also discussed present scenario of HIV/AIDS in Sindh and considered various options to stop further spread of the disease. They stressed on making the programme more effective and result oriented.

The health secretary informed the mission about ongoing projects and assured that these would be further improved and accelerated. National HIV/AIDS Control Programme Manager Asma Bukhari, Sindh Enhanced HIV/AIDS Control Programme Manager Dr Srichand Ochani and Additional Secretary Development Manzoor Memon attended the meeting.

Later, the mission accompanied by health secretary visited office of additional chief secretary planning and development and discussed progress on different projects. The additional chief secretary was asked to submit revised PC-I with the National HIV/AIDS Control Programme within a week so that final recommendations could be presented in the workshop being held from Dec 16 in Islamabad. -PPI