USAID/Pakistan: Health Sector Press Release

The Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms. Anne Aarnes, lauded the 'invaluable political commitment' of the Government of Pakistan to combat AIDS and underlined the need for 'immediate and vigorous action' to contain its spread. Photo also shows Asma Bokhari, Manager AIDS Control Program, Ejaz Rahim, Federal Minister for Health, Mary Skarie, Director, Health Office, USAID Pakistan, and Dr. Nazeer Nizamani, Country Director Family Health International, at Pakistan National Council of the Arts on World AIDS Day.

Islamabad, December 3, 2007 - The Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms. Anne Aarnes, lauded the "invaluable political commitment" of the Government of Pakistan to combat AIDS and underlined the need for "immediate and vigorous action" to contain its spread. Photo also shows Asma Bokhari, Manager AIDS Control Program, Ejaz Rahim, Federal Minister for Health, Mary Skarie, Director, Health Office, USAID Pakistan, and Dr. Nazeer Nizamani, Country Director Family Health International, at Pakistan National Council of the Arts on World AIDS Day.

American Diplomat Lauds Pakistan's 'Political Commitment' to Combat AIDS

Islamabad, December 3, 2007 - The Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms. Anne Aarnes, lauded the "invaluable political commitment" of the Government of Pakistan to combat AIDS and underlined the need for "immediate and vigorous action" to contain its spread.

"HIV/AIDS is an issue that cuts across religion, ethnicity, and social class," Director Aarnes said on Saturday while speaking at a commemoration ceremony held at the National Arts Council here to commemorate the World AIDS Day. "Pakistan, though fortunate to have a low HIV prevalence, still faces the threat of the disease spreading to the broader population."

The event was jointly hosted by the USAID-funded Pakistan HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Project (PHAPCP) and the National AIDS Control Program of the Government of Pakistan.

"The U.S. government has made the fight against HIV/AIDS a top priority, not only for humanitarian reasons, but because the disease threatens the prosperity, stability, and development of nations around the world," USAID's Aarnes said. "Since 1986, the United States has provided billions of dollars in support of prevention, care and treatment programs -- more than any other public or private organization."

AIDS is among the leading causes of death globally. According to a recent UN estimate, 3,000 Pakistanis have died of AIDS. As many as 85,000 Pakistanis may be HIV-positive, although only two percent of the country's HIV-positive population is receiving treatment.

The highlight of the event was a mime performance titled "Ribbons in Red." Performed by members of high-risk communities, the drama educated the audience about the daily reality of living with HIV/AIDS, raised awareness and promoted positive discussion about the disease.

The Federal Minister for Health, Ejaz Rahim; the Director General Health, Ministry of Health, Major General (retd) Dr Shahida Malik; Manager National AIDS Control Program, Dr Asma Bokhari; and Director, PHAPCP, Research Triangle Institute (RTI), Dr Naseer Nizamani, were also present on the occasion.