‘Severe Social Stigma’ Hindering HIV/AIDS Prevention Efforts in Pakistan
"[S]evere social stigma" is hindering HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in Pakistan, according to health officials, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. According to UNAIDS, 78,000 Pakistanis are living with HIV/AIDS, 86% of whom are male. Pakistan currently has a $2.5 million annual budget for the country's AIDS program -- which targets female sex workers, injection drug users, migrant workers and truck drivers -- and President Pervez Musharraf is currently negotiating with the World Bank for another $50 million, according to the Chronicle. However, according to Pakistan's constitution, health care is the responsibility of the provincial governments, which are expected to develop their own HIV/AIDS programs (Terzieff, San Francisco Chronicle, 3/22). The complete article is available online.
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