HIV/AIDS cases increasing at alarming rate in country
Muhammad Naeem:
Islamabad: According to the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), Pakistan is the second largest country in South Asia that stands only a few steps behind India and Nepal in terms of HIV epidemic. Despite many efforts, the HIV infection rate has increased significantly over the past few years and in fact, the country has moved from a low prevalence to concentrated epidemic with HIV prevalence of more than 5% among injecting drug users (IDUs) in at least eight major cities. Certain groups are at higher risk of contracting HIV in Pakistan, including people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, transgender people, and sex workers.
Despite efforts to raise awareness and combat discrimination, HIV stigma remains a significant issue in Pakistan.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is available in Pakistan for people living with HIV, but access to treatment can be limited in some areas.
The high prevalence of HIV in Pakistan is caused by a number of factors, such as low levels of awareness of HIV and its transmission, stigma, and discrimination against those who are HIV positive, insufficient access to healthcare services, and a dearth of HIV prevention and treatment options.
The number of HIV/AIDS cases reported in Pakistan has been rising steadily since 1987. The total number of cases reported had reached 6000 by 2010 and is still increasing.
Several significant strategies need to be put into place in order to control this dangerous disease. According to information from the provincial health ministry, In the four years since the COVID outbreak started in 2019, more than 1,500 people in Pakistan’s Sindh province have tested positive for HIV.
The Pakistani government has launched a number of initiatives to combat the HIV epidemic, including expanding access to HIV testing and treatment, encouraging the use of condoms and harm reduction programs for drug users, and increasing public awareness of HIV through public education campaigns.
In order to end the HIV epidemic in Pakistan, much work needs to be done. We need to improve health sector, raise public awareness to stop the spread of HIV in Pakistan.
