MQM-P lawmaker seeks parliamentary inquiry into rising HIV cases in Sindh

WEB DESK: Following a surge in HIV cases in Sindh, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) MPA Maaz Mehboob has submitted a resolution in the Sindh Assembly, calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the rising number of HIV cases. He also sought an audit of spending on the health sector and HIV prevention programmes.

The resolution said the increase in HIV infections remained a matter of concern despite the provincial government’s health budget of PKR392.16b. It also pointed to the Rs368m Sindh AIDS Control Programme and an annual grant of USD268m, questioning why HIV cases continued to rise and demanding an investigation into the issue.

The resolution called for the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate the spread of HIV across Sindh and submit its findings to the Sindh Assembly within 30 days.

The resolution further asked the Sindh health secretary to present a detailed report before the assembly on the procurement of syringes, inspections carried out, reported violations and legal proceedings initiated from 2010 to the present.

It also called for an investigation into the causes behind the spread of HIV in districts including Karachi, Sukkur, Larkana and Shikarpur, with a focus on identifying negligence and fixing responsibility where applicable.

Call for enforcement of syringe law

The resolution stated that the failure to implement the Sindh Regulation and Control of Disposable Syringes Act, 2010 had contributed to the spread of HIV. It sought the complete record of the procurement, supply and distribution of all disposable syringes purchased since 2010.

The MQM-P lawmaker also called for strict legal action under Sections 3 and 5 of the law against the use of ordinary disposable syringes and proposed making the use of auto-disable (AD), auto-lock and auto-destruct one-time syringes mandatory in all public and private hospitals across the province.

In addition, the resolution sought a report on the implementation of the Sindh Blood Transfusion Act and the Sindh Regulation and Control of Disposable Syringes Act, 2010. It also urged the provincial government to take immediate measures to curb the further spread of HIV and ensure safe healthcare facilities across all 32 districts of Sindh.