ISLAMABAD: Expressing concern over the rise in HIV cases, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Health on Monday stressed the urgent need for improved diagnostic and preventive measures, highlighting gaps in awareness and outreach as major barriers to reducing transmission, particularly in high-burden districts.
While HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) has declined, it continues to rise among other key populations, noted Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Barath, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Health, while addressing the Standing Committee, as he highlighted the preliminary findings of the recently concluded 6th Round of the Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance (IBBS).
The committee met at the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination under the chairmanship of Dr. Mahesh Malani. Dr. Mukhtar also identified poor infection prevention and control (IPC) measures at healthcare facilities as a major contributor to the growing number of HIV cases.
Senior health officials informed the committee that HIV’s spillover from key populations to the general population has begun, where 13,000 new HIV cases were reported in 2024. The coordinator further stated that 72,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV) are now registered at 94 antiretroviral treatment (ART) centres nationwide. However, the estimated number of PLHIV in Pakistan is approximately 270,000. “Due to improved diagnostics and increased awareness, more HIV cases are being identified, but a significant gap remains between estimated and registered cases,” he noted.
Expanded screening and testing services provided by the Common Management Unit (CMU) were acknowledged as critical to addressing the issue. However, gaps in awareness and outreach were noted as significant barriers to reducing transmission, particularly in high-burden districts.
The spillover of HIV from key populations to the general population poses a serious public health threat. The committee called for targeted awareness campaigns, strengthened infection control protocols, and monitoring of high-risk activities to address this growing crisis. Members also stressed the importance of expanding ART services to improve access to treatment for PLHIV.
The committee also reviewed Pakistan’s malaria and tuberculosis (TB) control programmes. While the country has a high TB treatment success rate, approximately 300,000 people remain undiagnosed each year. The introduction of 148 digital X-ray machines in high-burden districts was highlighted as a promising step toward improving TB diagnosis. Similarly, efforts to scale up malaria prevention through the provision of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) were discussed.
Among the legislative matters discussed by the standing committee were the Pakistan Nursing Council (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aim to reform and strengthen medical regulatory frameworks.
The Islamabad Healthcare Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was also reviewed, with committee members emphasising the need for clarity and autonomy in these reforms. Additionally, the Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was discussed, with the committee directing the Pakistan Pharmacy Council to provide a comparative analysis of similar legislation passed by the Senate. These amendments aim to harmonise regulations and improve the governance of pharmacies and pharmaceutical services.
The restructuring and upgrading of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) were also highlighted as a priority. With over 115 consultant-level vacancies at PIMS, the committee called for urgent recruitment to fill these positions and improve service delivery. Notably, this is the first recruitment drive at PIMS since 2013, reflecting the longstanding challenges in addressing staffing shortages at one of the country’s premier healthcare institutions.
The meeting was attended by MNAs, including Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Dr. Darshan, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Ms. Sabheen Ghoury, Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan, and others. The Coordinator to the Prime Minister, Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, along with senior officers from the Ministry of NHSR&C and its attached departments, also participated.
