THE HIV/AIDs epidemic in Pakistan is an extraordinary threat to the well-being of the nation and requires an extraordinary response.

Pakistan is the second largest country in South Asia that stands only a few steps behind India and Nepal in terms of HIV epidemic. Until recently Pakistan was classified as a 'low prevalence high risk' country, but now Pakistan is in a 'concentrated phase' of the epidemic with HIV prevalence of more than five per cent among injecting drug users (IDUs) in at least eight major cities.

However, the country still has a window of opportunity as the current estimates, using the various latest prevalence estimation models, indicate that the HIV prevalence among the general adult population is still below one per cent. According to the latest national HIV estimates, there are approximately 97,400 cases of HIV/AIDS in Pakistan.

It is important to create awareness and increase knowledge of the general population, promote preventive and care-seeking behaviour and reduce stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV and AIDS.

In order to create awareness at the mass level and to target a large number of audience, electronic and print media activities like talk shows, scrolls, Infomercials, articles and press ads in leading newspapers should be delivered.

AIDS could have a severe impact in certain communities over the coming decade. Financial and human resources are urgently needed to scale up the provision of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services in order to have a definite impact on the HIV epidemic and to mitigate its social and health consequences.

FARAH CHEEMA
Karachi