Pakistan Reports 84,000 Registered HIV Cases, Minister Says

ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said Pakistan currently has 84,000 registered HIV cases, while no fresh case has been reported from Taunsa during the current year, as authorities face renewed scrutiny over the country’s HIV surveillance and treatment systems.

The statement came after Taunsa returned to public attention following reports about alleged unsafe practices at a government hospital previously linked to HIV infections among children. The health minister said the government remained focused on testing, treatment access and prevention measures.

Kamal said Pakistan’s HIV screening network had expanded significantly in recent years. According to figures shared by the minister, screening centres increased from 49 in 2020 to 97 in 2025, while testing volumes rose sharply during the same period.

The minister also addressed concerns over international health funding, saying a major portion of Global Fund support for HIV programmes in Pakistan was being routed through non-governmental organisations and UN-linked partners rather than directly through the federal government.

He said the Global Fund had allocated $65 million for Pakistan under its 2024–2026 programme. Of that amount, he claimed, $3.9 million went to the government, while the remaining funds were provided to other implementing organisations.

Pakistan’s HIV challenge has remained a sensitive public health issue, particularly after outbreaks in Sindh and Punjab exposed gaps in infection control, unsafe injections, weak regulation and delayed diagnosis. Health experts have repeatedly warned that registered figures may not reflect the full scale of infections.

Kamal said 61,000 registered HIV patients were currently under treatment, while thousands of others had yet to be traced. He also cited expert estimates suggesting the actual number of HIV cases in Pakistan could be far higher than the official registered count.

The issue has wider implications for public health policy, donor accountability and provincial healthcare oversight. Stronger testing, transparent data sharing and safer hospital practices will be critical if Pakistan is to prevent further outbreaks and improve treatment coverage.

Authorities are expected to continue monitoring Taunsa and other high-risk areas while expanding screening and treatment services. The coming months will test whether federal and provincial health departments can convert official assurances into measurable public health improvements.