Nearly 7,200 Infected with HIV in Afghanistan: WHO

Some 7,200 people in Afghanistan were estimated to be HIV positive, according to World Health Organization (WHO), to mark World AIDS Day.

Approximately 7,200 people in Afghanistan are estimated to be HIV positive, according to World Health Organization (WHO), to mark World AIDS Day.

Marking World Aids Day, the WHO on Sunday called for a broader public awareness campaign in Afghanistan to deal with the issue, reports TOLO News.

Screening for HIV/AIDS Infection
Efficient screening and better drugs help reduce the prevalence of HIV infection. A number of tests like ELIZA & Western Blot are used for screening HIV.

‘Globally, the number of HIV-infected people steadily rises, but the number of newly-affected people has decreased by 40 percent since 1998.’

But the Afghan Ministry of Public Health said that it registered only 2,883 cases of HIV in the country.

"According to our statistics, there are 2,883 cases of HIV registered in the country. The 7,200 cases reported by the World Health Organization are only an estimate," said Fida Mohammad Paikan, deputy minister of public health.

Referring to factors behind the spread of the virus, Paikan said: "Last year the Ministry of Public Health registered 183 cases of HIV, and the figure has decreased to 150 new cases this year. But we need to undertake a comprehensive study to determine the exact number of those suffering from the disease."

Diabetes and HIV/AIDS Management
HIV/AIDS patients often present with diabetes or other metabolic disorders. The type of diabetes associated with HIV is Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

Victims, however, have complained of social discrimination.

Mohammad Idris, who contracted the disease from an infected needle during a drug injection, told TOLO News: "We are facing a lot of problems because we cannot share about our illness with others."

Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV Treatment
Antiretroviral therapy for HIV treatment helps to restore the functions of the immune system and prolongs the lifespan of the patient

Another HIV patient Omar said: "If we go to hospitals and tell them that we have HIV Aids, they don't treat us."

Source-IANS

The Fight for People With HIV/AIDS and an AIDS Free World
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is nonprofit organization, which provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to HIV patients. Dr. Nochiketa Mohanty is the Country Program Manager for AHF India Cares.