ISLAMABAD: As many as five mobile vans and five refrigerated trucks will be utilised to bolster HIV/Aids response efforts across the country.

The vehicles will be provided from the Common Management Unit (CMU) for Aids warehouses. The initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the AMU for Aids, TB and Malaria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other key stakeholders.

Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath was chief guest at an event marking the distribution of the five mobile vans and five refrigerated trucks.

The event highlighted the government’s commitment to improving healthcare access for underserved and vulnerable communities. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad reiterated the importance of reaching every individual in need, ensuring no one is left behind in the fight against HIV/Aids.

“The mobile vans and refrigerated trucks represent a transformative step forward in Pakistan’s HIV response. These vehicles will facilitate expanded outreach, prevention, testing, and treatment services, particularly in remote and underserved regions,” he said.

“The distribution of these vehicles underscores a shared mission to deliver quality healthcare and strengthen health services for communities across Pakistan,” he said.

Recognising the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP’s contribution, Dr Qasim Abbas, the national coordinator for the CMU, expressed appreciation for their dedication to improving health service delivery.

“This initiative exemplifies the power of partnerships. Under the guidance of the Honourable Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Health, we are not just delivering resources, we are delivering hope. These vehicles symbolize our renewed commitment to a healthier and more inclusive Pakistan,” he said.

The CMU reaffirmed its commitment to scaling up HIV prevention and treatment activities nationwide with a collective call to action for all stakeholders, including government agencies, development partners, community organizations, and civil society, to intensify efforts in achieving a Pakistan free from HIV.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2024