A journalist Sumaira Jajja has said that an HIV outbreak was confirmed in Jacobabad’s Garhi Khero tehsil as over 300 people including pregnant women and children tested positive.
Sumaira Jajja said on Twitter, “Sources confirmed there is an HIV outbreak in Jacobabad’s Garhi Khero tehsil. Over 300 people, incl pregnant women & children, tested positive. People were taken to Ratodero for tests as Garhi Khero lacks HIV testing facilities. In 2019, over 1200 kids contracted HIV in Ratodero.”
“Like Ratodero, Garhi Khero is a poor area and lacks basic health care facilities. HIV+ IDUs, unscreened blood & reuse of syringes said to be the reasons behind this latest outbreak.Story might get some traction but will be lost amid flood news & pol mayhem,” added Jajja.
Sources confirmed there is an HIV outbreak in Jacobabad’s Garhi Khero tehsil. Over 300 people, incl pregnant women & children, tested positive. People were taken to Ratodero for tests as Garhi Khero lacks HIV testing facilities. In 2019, over 1200 kids contracted HIV in Ratodero.
— سمیرا (@SumairaJajja) September 4, 2022
The journalist had also reported the HIV outbreak in Ratodero in May 2019. “Ratodero is a small city with a pretty pathetic healthcare system. THQ Hospital struggles with the daily load of sick from all over the city as well as neighbouring towns and villages. People only take their sick to the hospital when they are ‘almost dead’ cause ‘it costs money’.”
Ratodero is a small city with a pretty pathetic healthcare system. THQ Hospital struggles with the daily load of sick from all over the city as well as neighbouring towns and villages. People only take their sick to the hospital when they are ‘almost dead’ cause ‘it costs money’.
— سمیرا (@SumairaJajja) May 22, 2019
Regarding HIV/AIDS outbreak in Jacobabad’s tehsil, she further said, “Dread the day Global Fund stops its grant for Pakistan. The government doesn’t care, NGO/CBO sector is interested in lucrative funding opportunities in a crisis. Still remember this mother in Ratodero who asked if her HIV+ child was going to be okay. She had no clue what HIV was.”
Dread the day Global Fund stops its grant for Pakistan. The government doesn’t care, NGO/CBO sector is interested in lucrative funding opportunities in a crisis. Still remember this mother in Ratodero who asked if her HIV+ child was going to be okay. She had no clue what HIV was.
— سمیرا (@SumairaJajja) September 4, 2022
She added, “I still don’t understand why former prime minister Imran Khan never said anything in support of over 1000 HIV+ children in Ratodero or took notice of outbreak. Agreed that health is a provincial subject but these children are Pakistanis too.”
I still don’t understand why former prime minister Imran Khan never said anything in support of over 1000 HIV+ children in Ratodero or took notice of outbreak. Agreed that health is a provincial subject but these children are Pakistanis too. @ImranKhanPTI https://t.co/Bhdd2xaXLo
— سمیرا (@SumairaJajja) September 5, 2022