HIV infections in Pakistan have climbed from approximately 16,000 in 2010 to 48,000 in 2024, according to WHO data cited by Dr. Syed Sharaf Ali Shah. Health experts warn that rising transmission rates in Sindh and Punjab require immediate domestic funding and stricter infection controls to prevent a worsening public health crisis.
Why are HIV cases rising in Pakistan?
Several systemic failures are driving the upward trend in HIV transmission across the country. During a recent seminar organized by the Bridge Consultants Foundation in Karachi, participants identified weak HIV surveillance and limited testing services as primary contributors to the epidemic.
Recent outbreaks in Ratodero, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Karachi, Hyderabad, Multan, Tunsa, D.G. Khan, and Sargodha have highlighted specific vulnerabilities. According to seminar participants, these outbreaks exposed serious shortcomings in infection prevention and control practices within healthcare settings.
The epidemic is further fueled by:
- Unsafe injection practices in both public and private facilities.
- Weak regulation of the informal healthcare sector.
- Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.
- Inadequate access to quality treatment and low public awareness.
While many high-burden countries have successfully reduced new HIV infections through broad prevention programs, Pakistan is currently seeing an increase in transmission.
How will healthcare safety standards change?
Experts at the seminar called for a rigorous overhaul of medical safety protocols to curb transmission. A major focus is the regulation of the informal healthcare sector and the promotion of safer medical tools.
Participants recommended that the federal and provincial governments implement a comprehensive action plan. This plan would include the mandatory use of auto-disable syringes and the enforcement of safe disposal methods for used syringes and medical waste. Stricter enforcement of infection prevention measures in healthcare settings is considered essential to prevent further outbreaks among vulnerable populations.
Addressing the “informal” sector is a significant challenge. Without tighter regulation of unregistered healthcare providers, the risk of unsafe injection practices remains high.
The impact of undiagnosed cases
Dr. Syed Sharaf Ali Shah, head of the Bridge Consultants Foundation, noted a significant gap between estimated HIV cases and those actually enrolled in treatment. Citing UNAIDS estimates, he warned that a large share of people living with HIV remain undiagnosed. This suggests the actual number of new infections may exceed the 48,000 currently estimated by the WHO.
Expanding routine testing to high-risk groups—including pregnant women, tuberculosis patients, and spouses of people living with HIV—is critical to closing the diagnosis gap.
What is the future of HIV funding and treatment?
To ensure a sustainable response, stakeholders are urging a shift from external donor reliance to increased domestic financing. The seminar emphasized that HIV must be treated as a social and development challenge requiring a multi-sectoral response rather than just a medical issue.
Future trends in treatment access will likely involve:
- Integration: Moving antiretroviral treatment services into primary healthcare facilities.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Involving general practitioners and private healthcare providers in HIV care.
- Community-Based Testing: Expanding voluntary counseling, testing, and HIV self-testing options.
Strengthening these services requires coordinated efforts between the media, civil society, academia, and government departments. Attendees at the dialogue included officials such as Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Gorar, national CMU coordinator, and Dr. Zubair Abdullah, national manager of the HIV Control Programme.
For more information on global health standards, visit the World Health Organization website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which provinces in Pakistan are most affected by HIV?
The rise in HIV cases is particularly concentrated in the provinces of Sindh and Punjab.
What are the main causes of the rising infection rates?
Key drivers include unsafe injection practices, poor infection control in hospitals, limited testing availability, and social stigma.
How can the government make the HIV response sustainable?
The seminar participants recommended increasing domestic funding to reduce reliance on external donors and implementing stricter regulations for the informal healthcare sector.
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