Unbelievable Levels Of Heroin Addiction / HIV-AIDS In Pakistan

This is adapted from the New York Times.

2010 - 2018 H.I.V. in Pakistan doubled to 160,000 according to UNAIDS

nationwide uptick in H.I.V. cases, despite global decline of HIV

new infections jumped 38% in 15 - 24 age group

real number likely higher

population goes untested

less than 10% of H.I.V. being treated

Pakistan spends very little to counter H.I.V. 

H.I.V. and AIDS back seat of government’s agenda

Pakistan govt does not act unless national uproar 

entirely dependent on other countries for funding, testing, drugs 

Since 2003 eight  outbreaks in Pakistan

2016 HIV hit 1,500 men who engaged with infected prostitutes

900 children in small Pakistani city of Ratodero HIV

Ratodero 200,000 residents, poor, high illiteracy rates

Panic After 900 Children Test Positive for H.I.V. 

Ratodero first time children victims on such large scale

1,100 citizens tested positive, one in 200 residents

Almost 900 are younger than 12

officials believe real numbers much higher

only a fraction of population has been tested

clinics, unqualified doctors, illegal blood banks reusing syringes

April 2019 HIV pinned down : city was epicenter  

outbreak overwhelmingly affected children

officials initially blamed pediatrician, reusing syringes

many children gone to same pediatrician, Muzaffar Ghanghro

pediatrician treated all six of Jalbani’s children, four contracted H.I.V. 

two youngest, 14-month-old and 3-year-old diedJalbani, a laborer alarmed when Ghanghro rummage through trash for syringe 

Muzaffar Ghanghro charged with manslaughter 

Ghanghro arrested, charged with negligence, manslaughter 

he has not yet been convicted

now works as general practitioner at government hospital 

Health officials say Ghanghro unlikely to be sole cause of outbreak

many doctors reusing syringes and I.V. needles

unhygienic practices prevalent across Pakistan 

leading cause of H.I.V. infection

government slow to respond to outbreak 

not even a quarter tested 

real number higher than 1,112 cases 

Farzana Bibi 3-year-old son tested H.I.V.-positive

“It seems it is God’s affliction on us,” she said. 

35 children died since April 25

effect on Ratodero’s social fabric grim

May man strangled H.I.V.-positive wife to death

June HIV woman tied to tree by her family

to prevent her from spreading virus

My comments :  This is a real problem in Pakistan. And it is not new. One more related cause is drug addiction, opium and heroin addiction which is of epidemic proportions in Pakistan. 

Believe me folks, this country faces a huge litany of problems. Serious problems that are almost entirely caused by socio-cultural factors. These things are not a few weeks old or a few years old. It is a steady breakdown of Pakistani society. 

There has to be a turnaround somewhere.