KARACHI, Dec 7: The Sindh government is streamlining vaccination programmes with particular reference to Polio Eradication Strategy to ensure plugging all possible loopholes and prove 100 per cent immunity to local children against the crippling virus.
This was stated by Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim while addressing the candle-light ceremony organized by the Sindh AIDS Control Programme on Monday night in remembrance of those who died of the scourge during the last two decades.
He said that stringent action would be taken against those failing to realize their responsibility towards children, who happen to be the future of the nation. The chief minister said that he was attempting to develop an efficient and strong vigilance mechanism to contain inefficiency through a team of efficient individuals headed by Health Adviser Faisal Gabol.
He said that different healthcare programmes with major emphasis on prevention and timely intervention were being initiated, including one for AIDS Control and Prevention.
Arbab Rahim urged medical professionals as well as media personnel to play required role in sensitizing the masses regarding the curse, which could be caused by aberrant relationship, transfusion of contaminated blood, sharing of syringes and so forth.
Reminding that religion and norms have generally prevented a significant majority from HIV/AIDS, he said that a massive population in India had been reported to be suffering from HIV. He stressed that there was a need to be extremely cautious in this regard.
Sindh Health Adviser Faisal Gabol said that the provincial health department through the platform of Sindh AIDS Control Programme was attempting to create public awareness regarding the causes of HIV/AIDS and its prevention.
He also referred to the measures being adopted to strengthen the relevant rules with regard to safe blood transfusion services and prevention of needle sharing.
Sindh Health Secretary Prof Naushad Shaikh said that four million people had died of the deadly virus in a comparatively short span of time. He said that the reported number of 976 HIV positive and 102 full blown AIDS cases strongly reminded that the country ought to prevent spread of the virus as otherwise consequence would be colossal in terms of economic as well as social repercussions.
Sindh AIDS Control Programme Manager Dr Srichand Ochani said that the events organized as part of the World AIDS Day were a strong caution for the masses to be extremely cautious in their dealings and must necessarily avert onset of the disease. -APP