ISLAMABAD, May 10: The minister for environment, local government and rural development, Barrister Shahida Jamil has underlined the need for pro-active media campaign against the HIV/AIDS in the country.
She was speaking on the occasion of World Red Crescent Day, observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of the founder of the Red Crescent Movement, Jean Henry Dunant, held at the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Friday.
She said although the number of HIV positive cases or HIV patients were not threatening but it did not mean that we should be complacent and ignore HIV/AIDS as common disease.
The minister said the theme chosen for this year,‘the truth about AIDS, pass it on’ carried a vital message about this deadly disease and had been well-chosen.
It was a fatal disease that killed 10 years later and then appeared in the statistics, the minister said. There was a need to raise awareness about the causes of this deadly disease and the possible preventive measures one could adopt.
Paying tributes to Mr Henri, She said it was his initiative that helped in saving lives of millions of soldiers all over the world.
It was only due to his efforts, soldiers, who used to be killed by the enemy forces after their incarceration, were reorganized as prisoners of war and received protection under Geneva conventions.
The chairman of the PRCS, Syed Shahid Ali, said the purpose of the movement was to protect life and health and to ensure dignity for all without any discrimination.
He said the campaign against HIV/AIDS would be globally spearheaded by the International Federation of Red Crescent Societies and implemented nationally by all the member countries including PRCS.
The main reason for the spread of HIV/AIDS was the stigma attached to it. Individuals, who have it, may not know or do not want to admit it or talk about it. Cultural barriers and beliefs have made it a taboo topic and people living with AIDS are discriminated against.
At the end winners of the speech contest held in connection with the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day were awarded prizes by the minister.
APP ADDS: The government fully supports the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement in the fight against terrorism, the minister said.
“We needed the support of Red Cross in the situation that we are facing in our fight against terrorism”.
She said in times of wars and natural disasters in the country the Red Cross and PRCS mobilized relief for the victims and set up medical camps to tend the wounded.
Its potential, as part of an international movement to serve the people is remarkable and we have not even tapped a quarter of its potential.