Missing the Target #5: Improving AIDS Drug Access ... - CD8 T cells

PAKISTANAccess for marginalized groups and rural populationsHigh-risk groups, in particular injecting drug users and MSM, face extensive legal,economic, and social stigma and discrimination in Pakistan. In general, they lacksufficient awareness of HIV risk factors and far too rarely seek out HIV testingservices. Their access to treatment is also limited by the fact that members ofmarginalized groups tend to live in rural and less developed parts of the country.Obtaining HIV treatment and care in such regions is difficult and complicated acrossthe spectrum because of a lack of easily accessible treatment centers.Part of the problem is that most health care workers prefer living in urban areasfor professional and economic reasons. It has proven extremely difficult to identifyqualified personnel who are able and willing to work in rural areas, even whentreatment centers have been established.107