13 children declared HIV positive in Larkana

F.P. Report

LARKANA: Sixteen of the 13 children tested are infected with Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) in the Larkana district of Sindh.

In Charge of the HIV Aids Control Programme in the area, Dr Abdul Hafeez said the children who are tested HIV positive are between the ages of four months and eight years.

He said that parents of the affected children would also be tested.

The results are very worrisome, Dr Hafeez said, urging the need for take drastic steps to create awareness about HIV amongst the population in the area.

Without treatment, HIV-infected people go on to develop AIDS, a syndrome that weakens the immune system and leaves the body exposed to opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, and some types of cancer.

Treatment carries side effects and is costly, but allows infected people to be healthier for longer.

Larkana is the stronghold of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) which has been in government in Sindh province for decades. The Sindh government is currently being criticized after some cases of hospital staff negligence surfaced on media.