By Admin 
These days, Pakistan is facing such a wave of HIV infection, which has exposed the weakness of the health system. According to the data shared by WHO and UNAIDS in the program organized on World AIDS Day, there has been an unusual increase in new cases of HIV in the country in the last decade. While about 16 thousand new cases were reported in the year 2010, this number will increase to 38 in 2024. This increase is being considered a big warning for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Health Ministry has also acknowledged that HIV infection can no longer be controlled through government efforts alone. Director General of the Ministry, Dr. Ayesha Isani said that the community, doctors, paramedical staff and all health institutions need to work together to adopt safe medical practices. He also said that carelessness in injections and blood transfusion is the biggest reason for spreading the infection and it is very important to make the public aware about the disease and its prevention.
A large number of infected people do not know about the disease
About 3.5 lakh people in the country are infected with HIV, but the surprising thing is that a large population of them is not even aware of their disease. The situation among children is more worrying. While in the year 2010, about 530 cases were identified in young children, in 2023 this number increased to 1800. This means that the infection is spreading rapidly within homes and communities.
Treatment arrangements increased but very less as compared to the need
The number of patients taking antiretroviral therapy i.e. ART treatment has increased in Pakistan, but it is still far less in proportion to the need. While in 2013 only a little more than 6000 patients were on treatment, in 2024 this number has reached close to 55000. The number of ART centers has also now reached around 95. Despite this, very few people get their disease checked and the proportion of people taking treatment is also very low. The figures of patients with viral load under control are even weaker.
unsafe medical practices
Investigations conducted in many areas of the country show that the biggest sources of spread of infection are unsafe injections, repeatedly used syringes and blood transfusions without testing. Especially in districts like Larkana, Taunsa, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Naushahro Firoz and Mirpur Khas, several outbreaks of HIV were reported and most of these infected children were children. These incidents have raised questions on the medical system of Pakistan.
Huge shortage in treatment of women and children
If pregnant women infected with HIV do not get adequate treatment, the risk of infection in newborn children also increases. In Pakistan only a small number still undergo medical monitoring during pregnancy. Same is the situation of those children who are already infected. Very few of these children receive regular treatment.
WHO warning
WHO’s Pakistan representative Dr. Luo Dapeng said that if timely action is not taken, the situation may become more serious. He also said that Pakistan will have to increase resources domestically and internationally and strengthen programs related to prevention and treatment, so that no adult or child is deprived of treatment.
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