4,760 registered, 10,000 unregistered cases reported in district
Dera Ghazi Khan is facing a critical AIDS crisis, as the number of registered patients has increased to 4,760, while an estimated 10,000 unregistered individuals are still waiting for diagnosis. This critical situation raises the need to address an emerging epidemic in South Punjab.
Scarce Health Care Facilities in South Punjab
The MS Teaching Hospital, headed by Dr. Abdul Rehman Amir Qaisrani, is the only treatment center for AIDS in South Punjab. It has even provided a special dialysis machine only for AIDS patients and is in the process of establishing an operation theatre for further improvement in medical treatment of the victims.
Causes Contributing to AIDS Prevalence
Critical Factors leading to the rise of AIDS cases in Dera Ghazi Khan are as follows:
The frequent reuse of syringes by unqualified practitioners, who are prevalent in many rural areas, is another major cause of the disease.
Lack of Awareness Campaigns: The ineffectiveness of federal and provincial awareness campaigns has failed to educate the masses on prevention and treatment.
Stigma and Isolation: Social stigma surrounding AIDS forces many patients into silence, leading to unreported cases and untreated conditions.
Pakistan’s AIDS Statistics: A Broader Perspective
There are more than 200,000 people above 15 years old suffering from AIDS throughout the country. The disease has been sexually transmitted to about 70% of all cases. In Dera Ghazi Khan alone, around 30 cases are reported every month. In this district, over 3,500 males and 1,260 females are registered patients besides children and transgender.
Kot Mubarak: Hot Spot for AIDS Cases
The Kot Mubarak area has become the epicenter of the epidemic with over 200 reported cases and more than 20 deaths. Patients from adjacent districts, including Tehsil Kot Chatta, Choti, and Taunsa, also come to MS Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Insights from Healthcare Experts
Dr. Muhammad Haroon Bilal, who has headed the AIDS Center for 15 years, said that “society isolates such patients, and hence it is not reported much in society. This isolation makes things worse and discourages such people from getting timely treatment.”.
MS Dr. Abdul Rehman Amir Qaisrani reaffirmed the resolve of the hospital to develop the care for AIDS in South Punjab, though a budgetary allocation by either the federal or provincial governments was not specified.
A Call to Action
This crisis of AIDS in Dera Ghazi Khan cries out for urgent attention to policymakers, healthcare authorities, and civil society. Addressing this growing epidemic necessitates:
Public Awareness Programmes: Educating people on prevention methods and demystifying the disease itself.
Improved Health Infrastructure: Development of treatment centers and provision of necessary facilities.
Government Support: Federal and provincial funds should be allocated for AIDS prevention and treatment programs.
Unless corrective measures are taken immediately, the situation in Dera Ghazi Khan may escalate further, resulting in more deaths and a greater negative social and economic impact.
