ISLAMABAD: Pakistan joined the global community in commemorating World AIDS Day with a spirit of determination and a vision for making the country HIV/AIDS-free by 2030.
The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, in collaboration with the Common Management Unit (CMU) for AIDS, TB, and Malaria, the UN family, the Association of People Living with HIV (APLHIV), and other community partners, observed the day with a resolute commitment to the global theme, "Let Communities Lead."
Caretaker Federal Minister for Health, Dr Nadeem Jan, in his message on the occasion, affirmed the government's firm commitment to eradicating the AIDS epidemic by 2030, aligning with global HIV targets. He stressed the importance of addressing healthcare and societal imbalances to ensure that no one is left behind.
On this occasion, Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, Federal Health Secretary, said the world can end AIDS with communities leading the way. He highlighted the significant role that communities living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV play in halting the upward trend of the epidemic.
He called for collective efforts to provide person-centered public health services, build trust, innovate, monitor policy and service implementation, and hold providers accountable.
Dr Razia Kaniz Fatima, National Coordinator for CMU for AIDS, TB, and Malaria, stressed the need to empower and trust communities to take the lead in designing, implementing, and evaluating programmes that address the unique needs of their members.