Islamabad – Pakistan is confronting a growing public health crisis as the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has highlighted that more than 300,000 people in the country are living with HIV, with large gaps in detection and treatment posing a serious challenge to national healthcare.
The committee, chaired by Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, reviewed detailed reports from the Ministry of National Health Services, noting that only 87,000 of the estimated 300,000 cases have been diagnosed, and a mere 34,000 patients are currently receiving treatment in health facilities nationwide. Lawmakers warned that this disparity between reported and treated cases could accelerate the spread of HIV if urgent measures are not taken.
Rising Concern Over Children and Newborns
Committee members expressed deep concern over alarming reports from Sindh and other regions indicating HIV-positive newborns and children, calling for immediate verification of these cases and the implementation of strict preventive measures. Lawmakers stressed the need for targeted testing and surveillance in identified high-risk areas to curb transmission.
Unsafe Practices Amplifying Spread
Officials highlighted that unsafe medical practices — including the reuse of syringes, unnecessary injections, and poor blood safety protocols — are significant contributors to HIV transmission in both urban and rural areas. The committee recommended promoting safer treatment protocols and oral medication alternatives wherever possible to minimize risks.
Government’s Strategy and Recommendations
The Ministry of National Health Services acknowledged that stigma, lack of public awareness, and unsafe medical procedures are key obstacles to controlling HIV in Pakistan. Officials stressed the importance of preventive healthcare, lifestyle medicine, and sustained public education campaigns to reduce the disease burden and long-term healthcare costs.
Lawmakers called for enhanced diagnostic capacity, broader access to treatment, and integration of HIV testing into routine healthcare and antenatal services, particularly to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
Broader Healthcare Challenges Highlighted
The committee also drew attention to systemic issues in the private healthcare sector, including unregulated pricing, lack of licensing, unsafe abortion practices, and unchecked over-the-counter medicine sales. Concerns were raised that many private hospitals in Islamabad operate without valid licenses despite the formation of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) in 2018.
The National Assembly committee emphasised that without strong regulation, awareness campaigns, and comprehensive treatment access, Pakistan risks a worsening HIV epidemic, urging immediate action from all levels of government to address this pressing public health challenge.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.