Islamabad: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, has expressed deep concern over the increasing HIV/AIDS cases in Pakistan and stressed the need for full transparency in addressing the crisis. The committee reviewed the nation’s HIV situation, highlighting a significant detection gap with only 84,000 of the estimated 369,000 people living with HIV registered. While testing capacity has expanded significantly, the committee warned that detection alone is not enough to control the spread of the virus.

According to the National Assembly of Pakistan, the committee was informed that nearly 20,000 of the registered patients have gone “missing” after starting treatment at ART centers, raising alarms about patient retention and follow-up. Although Pakistan’s HIV prevalence is lower than the global average, localized outbreaks in areas like Taunsa and parts of South Punjab indicate serious lapses in infection prevention and control. The Ministry outlined a master plan to address these gaps and announced plans to phase out reusable syringes, which have been linked to outbreaks.

The committee also highlighted issues such as the continued availability of banned syringes, weak monitoring of blood banks, lack of public awareness campaigns, and the stigma surrounding HIV testing and treatment. Members called for immediate actions, including the rollout of auto-disable syringes, stronger enforcement against unsafe medical practices, and a national action plan with district-wise data. The meeting was attended by various members of the National Assembly and senior ministry officials, who emphasized that transparency and awareness are crucial in combating the HIV epidemic in Pakistan.