Pakistan: Parliament Raises Alarm Over HIV Treatment Gaps and Healthcare Regulation Failures
Pakistan: parliamentary health committee has sounded the alarm over the scale of the country’s HIV crisis, revealing a stark gap between the number of people living with the virus and those receiving treatment. The disclosure has intensified scrutiny of weak regulation, unsafe medical practices, and persistent policy failures within the healthcare system, particularly in the private sector.
Extent of HIV Cases and Limited Treatment Access
During a recent briefing, members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination were informed that an estimated 300,000 people are living with HIV nationwide. Of this number, only about 87,000 individuals have been formally diagnosed, while just 34,000 are currently undergoing treatment. Committee members described the figures as deeply concerning, noting that delayed diagnosis and limited access to care continue to fuel the spread of the virus.
Lawmakers stressed that untreated and undiagnosed cases pose serious risks not only to individuals but also to public health efforts aimed at controlling transmission.
Concerns Over Unlicensed Private Healthcare Facilities
The committee was also briefed on regulatory failures within the private healthcare sector, particularly in the capital. Officials disclosed that private hospitals and dispensaries in Islamabad were operating without valid licenses, despite the presence of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority, which was established in 2018 to oversee standards and compliance.
Members questioned why enforcement mechanisms had failed to take effect years after the authority’s formation, warning that unchecked facilities undermine patient safety and erode trust in the healthcare system.
Broader Issues in Private Medical Services
Beyond licensing concerns, the meeting highlighted a range of troubling practices attributed to private hospitals and clinics. These included unregulated treatment charges, the absence of charity care for low-income patients, and reports of patients or deceased bodies being withheld over unpaid medical bills.
Additional issues raised involved poor medical waste disposal, the continued operation of illegal clinics, unsafe abortion procedures, and pharmacies selling medicines without prescriptions. Committee members argued that these practices reflect systemic weaknesses that require urgent regulatory intervention.
Meeting Focus and Parliamentary Oversight
The discussions took place at Parliament House under the chairmanship of MNA Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani. The session aimed to address critical public health challenges, identify regulatory loopholes, and examine policy obstacles affecting patient welfare and medical education.
Members emphasized that parliamentary oversight must translate into actionable reforms, rather than remaining limited to repeated expressions of concern.
Alarming Reports of HIV in Newborns
One of the most serious points raised involved reports of HIV-positive newborns, particularly in Sindh and several other regions. Committee members described these accounts as alarming and called on the health ministry to clarify whether the reports were based on verified data or misinformation.
To address the issue, the committee recommended random testing, strengthened preventive strategies, and nationwide awareness campaigns to reduce transmission risks, especially among mothers and children.
Unsafe Medical Practices Under Scrutiny
Concerns were also voiced over unsafe injection practices in private healthcare facilities, including the reuse of syringes and the routine administration of unnecessary injections. Members urged health authorities to promote safer alternatives, such as oral medications, wherever medically appropriate.
The ministry acknowledged that stigma, limited public awareness, and unsafe medical procedures remain major drivers behind the continued spread of HIV.
Growing Epidemic Highlighted by International Data
International health data further underscore the severity of the situation. According to the World Health Organisation, Pakistan has one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Infections have increased by approximately 200 percent over the past 15 years, rising from around 16,000 cases in 2010 to nearly 48,000 by 2024.
Health experts note that while HIV once largely affected high-risk groups, it is now increasingly spreading to children, spouses, and the broader population. Factors cited include unsafe blood transfusions, poor infection control, inadequate HIV testing during pregnancy, unprotected sexual activity, stigma, and limited access to testing and treatment services.
The organisation estimates that about 350,000 people in Pakistan are living with HIV, with nearly 80 percent unaware of their status. Cases among children aged 14 and under have also risen sharply, highlighting the urgent need for early detection and stronger prevention measures.