PESHAWAR: Members AIDS Control Network, an initiative of Da Hawa Lur, a non-governmental organization, have proposed key measures for meaningful inclusion of transgender community in the National HIV-AIDS Control Programme.
The suggestions were made during an exploratory visit of the AIDs Control Network to the Family Care Centre at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, said a communication here on Thursday.
During the visit, representatives of the AIDs Control Programme shared details about treatment being provided at the 13 centres established at the divisional level of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Members of the AIDs Control Programme were informed that the total number of registered AIDs patients in KP was around 6,500, out of which 176 were transgender.
The patients were availing free of cost treatment facility, including tests, medicines and psychological counselling.
Speaking on the occasion, Shawana Shah, Programme Director of Da Hawa Lur, said the AIDs Control Network had been set up to curb the spread of HIV through proposing policy reforms.
Arzoo, a transgender rights activist, suggested focusing on increasing awareness among the trans community about the facility of free treatment under the HIV-AIDS Control Programme.
She said transgender individuals needed psychological counselling for patients and community members, as well as acceptance of the patients.
“Most transgender people do not come for testing of HIV-AIDS because of the stigma associated with the diseases and harsh reaction of community members in case of diagnosis of infection in a person,” Arzoo pointed out.
She demanded a segregated treatment facility comprising a single room or a couple of beds for transgender individuals in hospitals where they could visit and get treatment with ease of mind.
Arzoo advocated for the provision of essential food to HIV infected patients because of their inability to earn money and survive.
A suggestion was also floated for announcing a stipend for those transgender who are getting treatment for HIV-AIDs.
