NA updated on HIV cases, treatment

Speaker recalls his ties with fallen Iran leader Larijani

ISLAMABAD:

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Nelson Azeem told the National Assembly on Monday that 84,421 HIV cases have been registered in the country and that all diagnosed patients are receiving treatment according to established medical protocols.

During Question Hour, Azeem said patients on dialysis are treated using separate machines to prevent cross-infection. Once diagnosed at any facility, patients receive proper treatment, with healthcare services available in hospitals nationwide.

He noted that Punjab reported the highest number of HIV cases due to its stronger system of monitoring, testing, and diagnosis, followed by Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad.

He emphasized that while the government provides treatment, prevention requires collective efforts from the public and healthcare providers. Unsafe blood transfusions and unregulated medical practices are major causes of HIV transmission, highlighting the need for strict safety measures.

He said awareness campaigns have been launched in hospitals, clinics, and among healthcare workers, while laboratories are monitored to ensure proper blood screening. The focus remains on early diagnosis and timely treatment to improve patients' quality of life.

Azeem also highlighted the support of international donor agencies, stating that all initiatives followed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and are regularly audited to ensure transparency and effectiveness.

The National Assembly also offered Fateha for Iran's former speaker Dr Ali Larijani and other people martyred during the ongoing war in the Gulf countries.

The lower house which met under the chairmanship of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also offered prayers for the daughter of Senator Sherry Rehman and for Malik Niaz Ahmed Jhakkar, father of MNA Owais Haider Jhakkar. MNA Hafiz Nauman led the collective prayers.

Expressing grief, Speaker Sadiq reminisced about his personal relationship with Dr Larijani, who served as Iran's national security chief and was martyred on March 17 during an Israeli strike on a residential block in eastern Tehran's outskirts.

According to the NA speaker, Dr Ali Larijani fell victim to Israeli aggression.

During the question hour, lawmakers strongly criticised the performance of the Ministry of Health. Sadiq expressed serious displeasure over the ministry's failure to submit answers to five questions, stating that negligence in such a critical sector was unacceptable.

He sought an explanation from Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, who said efforts were being made to coordinate with relevant ministries to resolve the issue. The speaker subsequently summoned the federal health secretary to appear in his chamber immediately.

Several bills were also introduced in the session, including the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Financial Institutional Reforms Bill 2025. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)