January 1999, Volume 113, Issue 1, Pages 39 - 43

Article

Sub-national response in HIV/AIDS: a case study in AIDS prevention and control from Sindh province, Pakistan AA Hyder1, OA Khan2, SA Shah3, MA Memon4, MR Khanani4 & S Ali5 1Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Department International Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore Maryland 21205     2Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Center for Communication Programs, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore Maryland 21202 USA     3Sindh AIDS Control Program, Services Hospital     4Department of Microbiology, Jinnah Medical College     5Pakistan AIDS Prevention Society, Karachi, Pakistan     Correspondence to: Mr OA Khan

Keywords

HIV;   AIDS;   Pakistan ;   South Asia;   policy

Abstract

HIV/AIDS in Pakistan is slowly gaining recognition as a public health issue of great importance. However, the responses to the disease have been marred by lack of coordination and commitment. We examine, in this paper, the situation in the Sindh province of Pakistan, which is recognized as having the sole fully functioning AIDS prevention and control programme in the country. In discussing the results of the Sindh programme’s activities we highlight progress made as well as gaps in data and surveillance. We also recommend strategies for implementation at the provincial and national levels. In addition this example of a sub-national government programme provides a case study for similar programmes in the region.

Accepted 28 July 1998

^© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 1999