LARKANA: As many as 74 new HIV positive cases have been registered in two months and twenty days at the HIV/AIDS Treatment & Care Center, established in the in the Central Laboratory of the Chandka medical College Hospital, Larkana, till February 20, 2018.
In November 2017 the number of registered positive cases was 1861 which shows that every day a new positive patient is detected and registered here which is a very alarming situation and need to be handled on emergency basis. Viral Load Test (VLT) facility has also not yet been provided at the center and this major center has also no proper separate building.
All patients requiring VLT are referred to Aga Khan University (AKU) laboratories in Sindh with which Sindh AIDS Control Program (SACP) has signed a contract in collaboration with National AIDS Control Program (NACP). Since the number of patients is continuously and regularly rising and surfacing hence Sindh Government and NACP should procure separate VLT equipment and supply the same at these centers instead of paying to the AKU.
Larkana continue to occupy top position as it’s patients have reached to 883 showing an increase of 30 patients. Previously it had 857 in September 2017. As many as five new patients were detected positive who belonged to Kambar-Shahdadkot district and its number is second in the list having 286 patients.
Khairpur Mirs has 187, Dadu has 189, Shikarpur 101, Sukkur 86, Jacobabad 52, Naushehro Feroze 42, Kashmore 34 and the list goes on.
The most infected patients are between the age group of 18-30 years and their number is 1023 and 533 are between 31-40 years, 219 are between 41-50 years, 77 are between 51-60 years, 25 are 61-70 years, 42 are below 18 years and 16 are children.
In 2017 as many as 460 new patients were registered which shows that no preventive measures were taken due to which this deadly viral disease continued to penetrate among the poor masses as in 2016 as many as 444 patients were registered at the same center showing an increase of 16 patients in 2017.
Out of these 1935 patients, 185 are also suffering from Hepatitis C, out of which 168 are males and 17 females. Likewise 22 patients are also infected with Hepatitis B, out of which 18 are males, 3 females and one transgender. 83 poor patients are on anti-koch’s treatment as well, out of which 72 are males and 11 females.
Dr. Hola Ram, Incharge of the Center said that many poor patients do not go for VLT hence this facility be provided at the center instead of AKU to stop the people running from one place to another. He said the affected patients need to encouraged that they will be provided every facility under one roof hence they should come out and get treatment without fear of society.
He said that he is looking after these patients alone without any other doctor and staff is also very short. Dr. Ram said one lad technician is doing all tests due to which treatment is always delayed and patients have to wait till next day until his/her report is received.
He said that it is his personal view that keeping in view the rush of patients a separate building should be constructed exclusively for treatment of HIV/AIDS positive patients where all required facilities must be made available which will greatly benefit the positive patients.
He said preventive measures should be taken on war-footing basis for which continued and regular efforts be made for making awareness among the masses.
He said the CMCH is not providing any manpower to deal with the cases as they themselves are facing acute shortage of paramedics and medics.