Senior government officials and former Jihadi leaders at a science session discussed the HIV/AIDS spread, prevention and control in Afghanistan.

Former Jihadi leader Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf said the virus poses a serious threat to the young generation in the country.

He stressed the need for treatment of drug addicts and called on the people to avoid drugs.

He said the only way to stay safe from the disease is to obey the teachings of Islam and follow the directions of national control HIV/AIDS program.

“The religion (Islam) strongly focuses on this matter and we see here that saving life and honor of humans is crucial in this respect,” he said.

At the same event, the Public Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz said over 2,500 people are infected with HIV/AIDS and have been identified by the ministry.

Feroz said over three million people are addicted to drugs in Afghanistan and that most of them are using the same syringes which provides the ground for HIV/AIDS to spread.

“This is a social problem, an economic problem, a security problem, and if it changes into a political problem it will turn into a crisis,” he said.

The Ministry of Public Health has 13 specific centers for HIV treatment in 13 provinces.

“Those who have been infected with HIV/AIDS are ill human beings therefore they need treatment,” said Mohammad Shafi Samim, deputy minister of education.