SARGODHA, Sept 22: A seminar on Saturday called for disseminating information about HIV and AIDS through elected representatives of local government institutions as this will yield positive results because of their close liaison with people.

The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and Naeem Akhtar Malik, a sociologist, arranged the advocacy seminar on HIV and AIDS with local government officials.

Speaking on the occasion, District Nazim Inamul Haq Piracha said creation of awareness about HIV and AIDS was need of the hour, and this objective could be achieved through elected representatives of local governments who had direct access to the masses.

The nazim said he was surprised after hearing a report that 25 inmates of the District Jail were allegedly infected with this fatal virus. He said though he had ordered an inquiry to ascertain the truthfulness of the report, the media should avoid publishing such alarming news without checking their veracity.

It will not be out of place to mention here that a couple of months ago a similar report was published apprehending the presence of HIV virus among dancers of local theatres, but neither any tests were conducted nor any measures were taken to curb the outbreak of this disease.

Piracha assured full support on behalf of the district government and elected representatives to stem AIDS disease.

A NACP representative gave a presentation on HIV and AIDS and its current status in Pakistan. He explained difference between HIV and AIDS, mode of transmission and method of prevention including factors that put the people under risk of transmission of the infection and its symptoms. He also stressed initiating early diagnostic process to avoid complications.

The organisers told the participants that objective of the seminar was to inform the local government officials about the national HIV and AIDS situation and orientating and sensitising them about its prevention methods.

They said local government officials could promote awareness more conveniently because of their direct access to the people at grassroots level and reduce the scourge and sufferings associated with AIDS.

DCO Hamid Amjad Warraich, Health EDO Dr Najamul Hassan Kazmi, Dr Skindar Hayat Warraich, president of the local chapter of PMA, union council nazims and naib nazims and people from all walks of life attended the seminar.