ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS have called for urgent action in the country because of the continued rise in HIV infections.
The number of new HIV cases has tripled in the country from 16,000 in 2010 to 48,000 in 2024, according to the WHO’s office for the Middle East and North Africa. Currently, around 350,000 people in Pakistan are living with the disease, of whom nearly 80% are unaware of their condition, the report said.
Until recently, HIV was confined to high-risk groups; now, the virus has entered the general population, including children and families. The key factors for this spread include poor blood screening, multiple injections with shared equipment, inadequate health facilities, and a lack of awareness.
WHO and UNAIDS have called upon the government, health institutions, and the public to:
- Expand testing and diagnostic programmes
- Ensure the availability of treatment and medications
Accelerate awareness campaigns on HIV The international organizations have warned that if immediate measures are not taken, the spread of HIV in the country could accelerate further.
