Islamabad, July 25, 2006: The U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID) launched
its $2.7 million program to support the government
of Pakistan in its fight against HIV/AIDS at a ceremony
in Rawalpindi. The USAID program will educate 27,000
individuals at high risk for HIV/AIDS through community
outreach activities, provide treatment for 2,000 cases
of sexually transmitted infections and provide care
and support to 600 individuals living with HIV/AIDS
and their families. All activities directly support
the Ministry of Health’s National HIV/AIDS Control
Program.
At the launching ceremony, USAID also awarded four
grants to non-government organizations (NGOs) to implement
HIV/AIDS education and treatment programs in Punjab
and Sindh. The organizations are the Organization
for Social Development (OSD), Mehran Welfare Trust,
New Lights AIDS Control Society, and ASEER Foundation.
Speaking at the event, USAID Pakistan Director Jonathan
Addleton praised the work of local NGOs in advocating
for better care and treatment for people living with
HIV/AIDS. He noted, “This is an issue that cuts
across religion, ethnicity and social class. Programs
focused on HIV/AIDS aren’t just dealing with
a ‘disease’ or a ‘public health
problem,’ rather they are about helping people
in ways that are truly merciful and compassionate.”
Dr. Naseer Nizamani from Family Health International
spoke to the assembled NGO representatives and the
HIV/AIDS community mobilizers on behalf of the Director
of the National Aids Program at the event. Dr. Nizamani
described the goals of the national program and thanked
USAID for its continuing support.
The $2.7 million in HIV/AIDS support will fund activities
for three years. The program promotes awareness and
healthy behaviors among those most at risk for HIV/AIDS
through information and education campaigns. Treatment
facilities provide care and counseling for families
whose lives are directly affected by the virus.
Pakistan is a low prevalence and high risk country
for HIV/AIDS, where the disease has now become an
epidemic concentrated among intravenous drug users.
Efforts are needed to control the spread of the virus
to prevent a more widespread epidemic in the general
population.
The United States, through USAID, is providing more
than $1.5 billion in development assistance to Pakistan
over the next five years to improve education, health,
governance and economic growth. In addition, the United
States has pledged a total of $510 million in earthquake
relief and reconstruction efforts to assist the people
of Pakistan and to support Pakistani government relief
and reconstruction efforts.
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