The Sindh Government’s Health Department has finally disclosed the number of HIV positive registered cases, on-treatment cases, and deaths in Larkana and Ratodero. According to Dr. Muhammad Naeem, Additional Director of Communicable Disease Control, there are 702 registered HIV-positive child patients in Larkana, with 591 receiving treatment and 113 dying. In Ratodero, there are 2189 registered HIV-positive children, with 2028 receiving treatment and 105 dying from April 2019 until now. But Sources Claim available data from the Sindh health department shows that out of the 324 HIV-positive children who lost their lives in the area since April 2019, around 164 died in the last year, between January 2022 and February 15, 2023. However, only 160 children infected with HIV had died in the area since the outbreak was reported
Alarming Number of Positive Cases Found in Ratodero Blood Screening
Dr. Imran Akbar Arbani, who detected the first outbreak in Ratodero, recently revealed that 30% to 35% of cases sent for blood screening were found to be positive in a month, which is concerning. Due to the increasing number of positive cases, screening has been reduced, with only one person performing screenings in Ratodero. Patients are also struggling to obtain proper medicines for coinfections.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has an increasing number of HIV/AIDS patients.
Parents of HIV-Positive Children Await Promised Benefits
Imtiaz Jalbani, whose two daughters died out of five HIV-positive children, reported that while HIV treatment medicines are provided, drugs prescribed for co-infections are being denied. These drugs are procured from the open market, as the family is very poor. CD-4 and Viral Load Test facilities, which determine the treatment effects, are also not being performed. Despite commitments made by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, promised benefits such as jobs, free transport services, and endowment funds have not been provided even after four long years.
Urgent Steps Needed to Prevent HIV Spread
Dr. Hola Ram, who has retired after heading the HIV/AIDS Treatment Center of Chandka Hospital, recommends mandatory screening before marriage, bringing quacks to justice, strictly following SOPs by hairdressers, strict blood transfusion protocols, sealing illegal blood banks, and creating mass awareness among villagers to prevent the spread of HIV. It is crucial to prioritize prevention over management, as early detection and prevention can save many lives.
Ratodero Children Continue to Suffer from HIV Outbreak
.. Despite years passing since the HIV outbreak in Ratodero, children continue to suffer from the disease due to the government’s inadequate response. Urgent action is needed to address this issue and provide proper care to those affected.