As many as 15 new HIV positive cases were detected at two blood screening camps established by the Sindh AIDS Control Programme (SACP) on Monday, bringing the number of to positive cases to 27.
This was disclosed by SACP Programme Manager Dr Sikandar Memon while talking to Daily Times on Monday. He said 69 people were screened on the first day, of which two were found positive, while 414 people were screened the next day, of which 12 were found HIV positive.
He said a majority of the positive people were children. “A few kids are already registered at our HIV/AIDS Treatment Center of Larkana, who were further confirmed today.” He said one or two children’s parents were found positive, and all others were detected negative, which meant they were infected from outside.
He confirmed that a doctor was involved in spreading the virus, who himself has been found to be HIV positive today, along with other quacks. He said the Disease Surveillance Cell was active and data would be shared with them to find out the root cause of the spread of the virus. He said data would be shared with the National AIDS Control Programme, WHO, UNICEF and other organisations to find out whether the virus was in the general population, after which the teams would be mobilised.
Dr. Memon further said that HIV was generally found among drug users, male/female sex workers and transvestites. He said that out of 100 drug users in Karachi, 40 were found to be HIV positive.
On the other hand, Sindh Health Care Commission officials led by Dr Ayaz Memon sealed as many as 17 illegals clinics. They also dismantled illegal operation theaters established by a few MBBS doctors in their private clinics. Sindh Health Services Director General Dr Masood Solangi also visited the blood screening camps. Dr Solangi told newsmen that after the HIV outburst in Ratodero, three teams were constantly checking from where the virus was spreading. He said those who were not registered with the PMDC were quacks, even if they had done their MBBS. He said if negligence of Health Department officials were found, the relevant officers would not be spared, as “no one is allowed to play with the precious lives of citizens”.