Corruption is as dangerous as AIDs:Kh Salman Rafique

Lahore: Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that like the virus of AIDs, elimination of menace of corruption is also essential. He said that negligence in performance of duty is big corruption than financial corruption and joint struggle of government, civil society and media is needed for its eradication.

He expressed these views while addressing an awareness seminar held at a local hotel on World AIDs Day, today. Khawaja Slaman Rafique said that after the tragic incident of biting of rats to newly born baby at Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi, clear-cut instructions have been issued to the administrations of all government hospitals to launch special cleanliness campaign, kill rats and remove the garbage immediately. But it is lamentable that the administration of the hospitals did not start this work proactively. He said that during his surprise visit to Holy Family Hospital, the previous night, it has been observed that still more steps will have to be taken for changing the situation.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the indicators of Pakistan about health sector are worst all over the world which are lamentable and is a question mark for us all. He said that there is a need of working with commitment and making serious efforts for controlling AIDs, hepatitis, polio, mortality rate of child and mother and ensuring vaccination to children. He said that we can protect ourselves from AIDs through normal life and preventive measures. He said that billion of rupees can be saved in the budget being occurred on the treatment through eradication of diseases.

Dr. Nisar Cheema said that there is no complete treatment of AIDs in the world, however, preventive measures is the only source of protection from this fatal disease. He stressed upon ulema, NGOs, civil society and media to play their due role for creating awareness among the people about diseases. Arifa Khalid MPA, Additional Director General Health Dr. Jaffar Ilyas and an AIDs affected patient informed the participants in the seminar about prevention from AIDs and to live a normal life. Representatives of NGOs, sex workers, eunuchs and a large number of citizens attended the seminar.