Dr. Ghous Malik, manager coordination/provincial coordinator Sindh, briefed on the
‘’Accelerated HIV Response through active prevention, linking to care and retention interventions for PWID and their partners ‘’in Karachi by Nai Zindagi. The meeting was attended among others by the Additional Commissioner Karachi Ghulam Mehdi Shah, Deputy Commissioner West Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, Assistant Commissioner Headquarters Rabia Syed, Assistant Commissioner General Hazim Bangwar, Executive Director Nai Zindagi Malika Zafar, Director Operations Nai Zindagi Yasmeen Akhtar, Manager District Coordination Nai Zindagi Muhammad Imran Khan, Health Department officers, Anti-Narcotics officials, and representatives of the Communicable Disease Control Program Sindh-CDC.
The participants were informed that the Nai Zindagi is providing free HIV harm reduction services, testing, and consultation to People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) under the Standard Global Fund and CDC Protocols. Currently, over 4,500 individuals are registered in Karachi, receiving all necessary facilities, including treatment and medication. Registered individuals are affected by HIV and AIDS. It was informed that outreach centers level have been established at District level more close to the spots or residences of registered individuals.
The meeting decided to establish a District Advisory Body, headed by the Deputy Commissioners of all districts, to make the HIV and AIDS prevention program more effective. The advisory body will include representatives from the CDC, NGO Nai Zindagi, and one co-opted member. The Commissioner directed all Deputy Commissioners to provide full support to the Nai Zindagi and relevant Sindh Health program (CDC) in their efforts to prevent and eliminate HIV and AIDS in their respective districts.’’
