- Consultation Workshop
Asian People’s Alliance for Combating HIV & AIDS (APACHA) Sindh Chapter in collaboration with Actionaid Pakistan arranged a Consultation Workshop to discuss Policy draft on HIV & AIDS recently at a local hotel in Karachi.
The Workshop was attended by representatives from different NGOs, Government Officials, Civil Society Organizations, International Agencies, Parliamentarians, Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh, representatives from both print and electronic media and as well as members of the Core Group of APACHA Sindh Chapter.
Ms. Sharmila Farooqi, Adviser to Chief Minister speaking as a Chief Guest on the occasion assured full support for the cause of HIV/AIDS and muster maximum support from government against the fatal diseases.
She said that HIV is a health epidemic and is increasing day by day. Government of Sindh is looking forward and encourage NGOs to come up with workable proposals so that the available funds do not get lapsed and are legitimately used.
According to the NACP estimates, the reported cases in Pakistan are 5,600 whereas the estimated cases which are not registered are 97,000.There is need to change attitude toward the sufferers. Together our coordinated efforts will help us to fight this fatal disease. She urged to hold workshops at district levels to create more awareness.
Ms. Shama Mithani, MPA, Sindh, discussed the issue in greater detail and assured the participants and the organizers of the Consultation Workshop that she was there to support the cause whenever her help was needed by the forum.
Dr. Maria Atif presented the salient features of National Policy on HIV/AIDS. Thereafter the policy was discussed by the groups of participants. Following recommendations were formulated and submitted to the coordinator:
- HIV/AIDS program should be implemented on priority basis by the government
- Continuity of the program be ensured without any disturbance
- Sustainability of the program be also ensured
- Sufficient funds may be allocated for this purpose
- Involvement of CSOs in the implementation of the program encouraged
- Smooth flow of funds be ensured to the implementing CSOs
- Maximum involvement of support organizations in the formulation National policy be ensured
Dr. Muhammad Nasir Jalbani, Provincial Program Manager, Sindh AIDS Control Program (SACP) expressing his views said that this Workshop would go a long way in acting with a collective sense of urgency to scale up our concerted efforts for accelerating progress towards the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs).
Dr. Salman Safdar from UNAIDS Sindh, said that a policy on any matter should precede the strategic framework, but in the case of policy on HIV & AIDS exactly the reverse has happened i.e. the strategic framework is already formulated and is at work whereas the policy on the subject is still being discussed and has yet to be approved.
He further added that since the policy is awaiting approval by the Federal Cabinet, any recommendations to the policy at this stage should be avoided to save the process from further delay.
Abdul Rahim Moosvi, President, Layari Community Development Project & Co-Coordinator, APACHA, Sindh Chapter in giving an introduction of the APACHA Sindh Chapter informed that APACHA is a Multi Sectoral Alliance of HIV & AIDS Service Organizations, People Living with HIV & AIDS are vulnerable to and affected by HIV/AIDS, Activists, CSOs, Researchers, Policy Makers, Health NGOs etc.
APACHA has been doing its efforts at local, national and regional level to combat HIV/AIDS which is the greatest challenge to our generation. It was duly formed with the consultation and participation of organizations working on these issues in September 2004 at Bangkok. The Sindh Chapter was formed in September 2009.
Ms. Ashima Hussain, Policy Officer, ActionAid Pakistan assured their unstinted cooperation and support in the efforts of APACHA Sindh Chapter.
Ms. Rehana Rashdi of PAVHNA in her concluding remarks fervently hoped that the recommendations of the Workshop would be given due consideration and made part of the National Policy. She thanked all the guests and participants for sparing their valuable time for the Workshop.
Dr. Saleem Azam, President, Pakistan Society & Coordinator, APACHA, Sindh Chapter briefed the participants about the objectives of the Consultation Workshop. He also gave a presentation on the aims and objectives of APACHA Sindh Chapter and informed about the activities planned for the next six months. He stated that at a time when the word is romanticizing the righteous ideas of democracy, freedom and justice an astounding number of people are dying due to AIDS, deprived of food and medicines to extend their life expectancy. In addition, stigma, discrimination and human rights violations have seriously posed an irony on modern democracy.
It was his hope that this Workshop would come up with concrete recommendations to enable us to present them before the policy makers for inclusion in the National Policy.
A Hope Song was also played by a team of Achhay Sathi (PLHIV). All the participants appreciated the song. Later on, Ajraks, the traditional gift of Sindh, were presented to the distinguished guests.