WHO report on HIV spread exposed PPP’s performance, says Palijo

HYDERABAD: Qaumi Awami Tehreek (QAT) president Ayaz Latif Palijo on Sunday expressed his concern over World Health Organisation (WHO) experts’ opinion regarding HIV/AIDS spread in Larkana district. He observed that Sindh had become the centre of the disease due to bad governance on the part of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

In a statement issued here on Sunday, Mr Palijo said that HIV/AIDS and hepatitis were playing havoc with the province as such patients were found in its every village. He claimed that quality tests were not being conducted, and noted that children with such diseases were dying in the laps of their mothers.

He maintained that the ruling elite in Sindh were not taking interest in health issues as they appeared more concerned about how to save themselves from corruption charges.

The just shared WHO report reflected PPP’s 11-year performance in Larkana district alone, he pointed out, and said that the HIV in Hyderabad’s rural taluka was spreading at an alarming proportion. “The situation here could be more dangerous than it is in Larkana,” he apprehended.

The QAT chief claimed that dozens of AIDS patients had lost their lives in this taluka of Hyderabad as they did not have access to quality healthcare facilities.

He stated that the Sindh government was not taking any measures despite the fact that several reports had already been issued to highlight the issue. He further stated that the health department was lying idle while provincial and federal governments failed to pay due attention to the problem in Sindh.

He urged people not to depend on the Sindh government alone in this regard and, rather, make efforts by themselves to save the lives of AIDS patients.

He said that WHO should also take some practical steps in addition to compiling reports.