Punjab Minister for Health and Population Khawaja Imran Nazir has said that BBC’s report on HIV cases is a deliberate attempt to defame Pakistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Thursday, Khawaja Imran Nazir said that they do not deny the existence of the disease. The Health Department itself took notice of HIV in Taunsa a year ago and HIV screening was conducted there, he added.
Khawaja Imran Nazir said more than 50,000 people were screened in Taunsa. As many as 334 HIV patients were diagnosed in the screening out of which 331 patients were children up to 12 years of age.
Khawaja Imran Nazir said when the issue was brought under control and the BBC news is incomprehensible.
Khawaja Imran Nazir said that the health department does not use reusable syringes.
The BBC story mentioned volunteers who do not exist and the government will investigate this matter thoroughly, he said, questioning how can the claim of a doctor, whose own clinic is sealed, be believed?
Khawaja Imran Nazir said a permanent HIV center has been established in Tehsil Hospital Taunsa for a year.
He said that the BBC story is tantamount to spreading fear and panic.
KPK and Sindh have more HIV cases than Punjab, Khawaja Imran Nazir said.