SWABI: The provincial health department in collaboration with United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) inaugurated a family centre for screening and counseling of people infected with AIDS/HIV at Bacha Khan Medical Complex Swabi. According to a statement issued here on Tuesday, the event was attended by Dr Inamullah, UNICEF health team leader, hospital director Dr Amjad Mehboob and others attended the event. Dr Amjad briefed the participants about the centre and informed them about HIV, hepatitis and thalassemia in Swabi. He lauded the efforts of the Bacha Khan Medical Complex administration for setting up an HIV prevention and treatment centre in the district. “Only 13 percent of HIV infected people are getting treatment and it’s one of the major reasons for the spread of the disease in the province,” he said and added that an integrated system is needed on war footing to combat the looming threats of AIDs in KP. DLP Report
Hospital director Dr Amjad Mehboob underscored the importance of media in creating awareness about the HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.
He said that currently the number of people infected with HIV in Swabi district has reached 240. The hospital director said that all the facilities from screening to treatment are being provided to the public in this center free of cost.
According to Project Director Dr Tariq Hayat, since 2015, the number of people affected by this disease in the province has exceeded 6000.
He said that seven new centers have been established with the continuous support of international organizations, which makes the total number 13.
Dr Tariq Hayat appealed to the public to come and get their screening done for HIV/AIDS at the government established family centers.
