Task force plans HIV spread survey

A high-level task force established by the prime minister has agreed to develop a comprehensive rapid assessment and survey methodology to evaluate the potential spread of HIV in the general population.

The development came as a meeting chaired by Minister of State for Health Dr Mukhtar Bharath and Co-Chairman of the Task Force Major Gen (retd) Dr Azhar Mahmood Kayani addressed the public health concern.

In Pakistan, new HIV infections have surged by an alarming 200 per cent over the last 15 years, rising from 16,000 in 2010 to 48,000 in 2024.

Earlier this month, the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Health was told that nearly 20,000 patients out of 84,000 registered have gone "missing" after initiating antiretroviral therapy. That means they are walking around with potentially contagious levels of the virus in their systems.

The task force decided on several important and targeted measures aimed at controlling the spread of HIV across the country. The participants of the meeting were informed that urgent steps were being taken to contain the disease and strengthen preventive mechanisms while clear responsibilities were assigned to technical partners to ensure effective coordination.