Benazir varsity VC, CMC students visit HIV Centre
LARKANA: Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nusrat Shah, along with the Larkana deputy commissioner, district council chairman and a group of Chandka Medical College (CMC) students, visited children with HIV at a health facility in Ratodero, says a statement issued here on Friday.
She also led a rally taken out to highlight and promote measures to prevent HIV.
The activity was organised by the SMBBM in collaboration with the Larkana District Council and Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Vice Chancellor Prof Nusrat Shah, District Council Chairman Aijaz Ahmed Laghari, Deputy Commissioner Tariq Manzoor Chandio and CMC students met the children and their family members at Ratodero’s HIV Centre and inquired about the patient’s health and treatment, as well as the care being provided to them.
VC Shah interacted with many of the children and asked them about their diet and schooling as well. She regretted that HIV patients were faced with discrimination in society. “We must eliminate the stigma associated with HIV patients who deserve our utmost empathy and care,” she remarked.
Talking about precaution and preventive measures to save children, as well as adults, from contracting this transmissible disease, she said: “We need to ensure that healthcare providers avoid re-use of syringes and give unnecessary infusions, especially in villages and remote areas”.
She appreciated the centre’s healthcare staff for their dedicated services.
The VC also led a rally taken out by the CMC students to promote preventive measures against HIV.
In a message to Dawn, she said that the event was part of a research project sponsored by the Sindh Higher Education Commission. The project is titled: “Engaging youth ambassadors for change: assessing the effectiveness of interactive workshops in promoting sexual health and HIV education in Ratodero, Sindh”.
The students distributed awareness flyers among people during the rally to spread important messages regarding HIV prevention and sexual health.
Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026