UNAIDS Pledges Support To Punjab On Prevention Of HIV/AIDS

UNAIDS pledges support to Punjab on prevention of HIV/AIDS

LAHORE, Feb 8 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 08th Feb, 2017 ) : The Punjab AIDS Control Program arranged a meeting of different stakeholders working in the field of HIV,in the Committee Room of the Primary and Secondary Health Department here on Wedesday.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Adnan Zafar Khan, Additional Secretary (Admin)Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department. The participants included Dr Mamadou L Sakho, UNAIDS Country Director for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Asghar Satti, National Coordinator of Association of People Living with HIV,D Amir Chaudry participating on behalf of the Local Fund Agent, representatives of the National AIDS Control Program and Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Project Director PACP Dr Adnan Zafar gave an overview of the program and highlighted that complete restructuring and redesigning had been done under the current PC-1 2016-2019. The strategic direction of the program has been redefined and it is now directed towards a comprehensive and integrated response to prevent transmission of the infection."The full implementation of the PC1 will not only improve prevention, care, and treatment services in the short term but also strengthen the long-term capacity of local communities and health systems to meet future anticipated needs of the HIV Positive population of the province," he added.

Dr Mamadou L. Sakhu appreciated the work of the Project Director and expressed full confidence in his leadership under the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department. He emphasized that establishment of alliances and partnerships in health systems would strengthen government's efforts to achieve objectives.

Asghar Satti representing the civil society and the HIV positive community acknowledged the work done by the program and appreciated the enhanced service delivery to the different high risk groups.

He supported the positive engagement of the program with people living with HIV/AIDS and the most-at-risk population. He reiterated support of the civil society to the program while reposing full confidence in the renewed direction of the program. APP/mnb/asm/rn � 20:02/20:03/20:03