By Jawaid Ali
To create awareness about HIV/AIDS, National AIDS Control Program (NACP) arranged a launching ceremony of “Zra Se Bhool – A motivational stage play on HIV/AIDS” on World AIDS Day 2008 at National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad.
Appreciating the performance of NACP, Mir Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, Federal Minister of Health, said that the innovative approach of National AIDS Control Program would help in creating awareness amongst the masses.
He further said that HIV/AIDS have been with us since last two decades, but it remains a problem that continue to be rude with us all. We are making progress in understanding this challenge but we still have a long way to go. The ever increasing HIV infection rate and its devastating impact on humanity is indeed a genuine concern for all of us. AIDS is hitting hard at the most vulnerable section of our society.
“From the beginning, Pakistan has taken strong measures for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the country. Although we are developing efforts to combat this disease we are no less than others despite existing social cultural barriers. We believe in taking further more steps towards its prevention” he added.
Pakistan is the only country that has greater number of women legislators, who have been involved to address the need of innocent sufferers. Pakistan has always moved forward to meet the commitment and goals laid by UN system.
According to him social cultural background of taboo, lack of infrastructure and difficulties with the vulnerable population are some of the barriers that have to be removed. This would require considerable hard work and team efforts not only from health sector but related sectors as well.
Ms. Dorthy Blane, Country Director, Concern World Wide Pakistan on the occasion appreciated the innovative technique adopted by the NACP for creating awareness on HIV/AIDS.
Khalid Abbas Dar, Producer and Director of the motivational stage play on HIV/AIDS “Zra Se Bhool” briefed the audience about the production of the drama. He said that, theatre could be frequently used as a tool for communicating information across a numbeer of sectors, particularly health, to bring about attitudinal and behavioral change in lifestyle.
He further said that 88 stage shows of the drama have been performed throughout the country from which 36 are in Sindh. On getting positive response and feedback from the public, it was translated into Sindhi and Pashtu languages also. In future the show will be also be translated in other regional languages.
Earlier, Dr. Hasan Abbas Zaheer, National Programme Manager, National AIDS Control Program (NACP) in his welcome address said that, World AIDS Day is celebrated every year for the last 20 years all over the world to demonstrate commitment to the cause and prevention from AIDS in all the society and countries of the world. The day is celebrated to plan and make strategies for the year long programs and information, education and communication for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. National AIDS Control Program (NACP) has been organizing a series of activities in the country.
The theme of this year is leadership, and it is very important among policy makers. Media can also play a very important leadership role in this regard. Everyone in their capacity is the leader of their own respective field, as leaders are expected to give up the promise to stop and prevent HIV/AIDS in the society.
He further said that the first case of HIV was detected in 1986 and it was a case of migrant worker and during initial few years it was limited to migrant workers. But now we generally have serious problem for HIV epidemic. So far it is restricted to the high risk groups which include IDUs, commercial sex workers, the aims and objectives of NACP is to restrict this epidemic within this high risk group and prevent it and make sure that it does not spill over into the general population.