’The 2nd District AIDS Council (DAC) meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Iqbal Hussain, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Finance & Planning), Mardan. The meeting commenced with introductions of all participants. Participants were Mr. Iqbal Hussain ADC (F&P), Mardan,Mr. Abbas Durrani AD IHHTCP KP,Dr. Afzal Regional Coordinator Mardan IHHTCP KP,Dr. Robina Riaz District Coordinator Public Health DHO Office Mardan,Mr. Jamsheed Rehabilitation Officer Drug Rehab Center Mardan,Mr. Rizan SP Police,Mr. Abid Durrani AAA NZ Charsadda / Mardan,Shabbir Ahmad Provincial Coordinator NZ KP. The participants were then briefed on the significance and role of the District AIDS Council in Mardan. The Provincial Coordinator, Nai Zindagi (NZ), shared that the DAC will function as an advisory and consultative body for HIV/AIDS-related activities at the district level. The Council will facilitate coordination and liaison among stakeholders, address field-level challenges, strengthen referral mechanisms, and review the progress of Nai Zindagi’s interventions at the district level. It was further shared that the DAC will also contribute to strengthening the HIV response at the provincial level.
A detailed presentation on the progress of Nai Zindagi District Mardan was shared with the participants. The methodology for reaching People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) across District Mardan was explained in detail. All program indicators were discussed, including Needle Syringe Exchange Program (NSEP) services, HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC), social mobilization activities, and referrals to the ARVS Adherence Unit (AAU) for 4–6 weeks of residential detoxification, rehabilitation, and initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). The spouse component was also discussed comprehensively.
The district administration and participants highly appreciated the efforts and activities of Nai Zindagi. Mr. Iqbal Hussain emphasized the need for close coordination between Nai Zindagi, the district administration, and other stakeholders involved in drug rehabilitation at the district level.
In addition, the Additional Deputy Commissioner Finance and Planning -Mardan shared that sensitization sessions would be arranged for doctors at the district level to further facilitate and support HIV clients’’.
The representative from the police department assured full support to Nai Zindagi and shared that the police department would facilitate referrals of all HIV-reactive clients to Nai Zindagi.
DAC Meeting at Mardan
