Pakistan HIV
Doc who unearthed HIV outbreak in Pakistan says he is not on govt good books
A doctor in Pakistan’s Sindh province, who unearthed the sensational HIV outbreak among children in a sleepy, remote town in 2019, says he is not on the good books of the authorities for reporting the epidemic and exposing the malpractices of some medicos.
Two years on, 41-year-old Dr Imran Arbani is still doing all he can to rid his town of the menace, but has received little appreciation from the government for his efforts, Yet, he continues to work for the cause, Express Tribune reported.
“Not a single word [of appreciation] from the federal and the provincial government as yet. The government seems to be unhappy with me,” says Arbani, who has a private practice in Ratoedero - located 30 km north of Larkana.
“But I don’t care if they dislike me. It was my duty to highlight the issue and I am thankful to local residents who cooperated with me and understood the gravity of the situation.”
It was on April 24, 2019 that the world got to know about the scary HIV outbreak plaguing the unsuspecting residents of Rato Dero.
However, Arbani realised it two months earlier.
It was the morning of February 12, 2019 when a two-year-old girl came to his clinic with her father
“After examining the girl, I advised her father to take her for an HIV test,” says Dr Arbani. He had a hunch that the little one was suffering from the deadly virus, but was nevertheless shocked when she returned a positive test.
A second test confirmed his suspicion.
A wave of patients followed. Most of them were children, who tested positive for HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) - the disease the virus leads to if not treated.
Within ten days, at least 15 children had been diagnosed with HIV in Ratodero.
Screening for HIV/AIDS began in Ratodero after the news broke, and the world took notice. Health workers went round the town and screening camps were organised.
According to the World Health Organisation, over 30 thousand people were screened for HIV in a two-month period, and 876 were found positive.
Altogether 719 of them - 82 per cent - were below 15 years of age.
The disease still rages in Ratodero. Where 47 children have perished of HIV infection since April, 2019, the report said.
Arbani attributes the HIV menace in the area to unsafe medical practices, particularly reusing of syringes.
The improper disposal of medical waste and the prevalence of quacks - fake doctors - have also been identified as major factors that contributed to the problem.
Local doctors say Arbani has been in the lead in the battle against the epidemic. He is the man behind the shutting down of a number of clinics carrying out unethical practices.
The international community has, however, recognised his efforts and accomplishments. Certificates of all hues awarded to him by various bodies adorn the walls of the clinic.
He also received acclaim for surgically removing a stone weighing 620 grams from a patient’s body in 2008.
But for Arbani, the biggest satisfaction comes when he sees happiness and smile on the faces of his patients.
“I get respect from my patients and their families and that’s enough for me,” he says.
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