ISLAMABAD, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called for a stronger national fight against HIV/AIDS, emphasizing the protection of vulnerable groups and equitable access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care.
In a message on World AIDS Day, Sharif stressed the importance of breaking social barriers and changing public attitudes toward the disease, underscoring that health protection is a fundamental human right.
He highlighted the government's commitment to expanding treatment access for high-risk groups, preventing mother-to-child transmission, ensuring safe blood supply, reducing HIV spread among drug users, and eliminating gender-based discrimination.
"The voices of people living with HIV must be heard, and society must come together with compassion and determination to overcome all obstacles in the fight against HIV/AIDS," he said, urging collective action for an AIDS-free Pakistan.
Sharif underlined the need for comprehensive strategies to improve prevention, treatment, and awareness, and stressed that changing public perception of HIV is crucial. He called for modern healthcare facilities and community-level cooperation to ensure no one is left behind. ■
