Shafaqna Pakistan | by Arsal Mir- Over the past two decades, Pakistan has witnessed recurring outbreaks of HIV, culminating in the distressing distinction of being the second fastest-growing nation for new HIV infections in the Asia-Pacific region. Despite the alarming trajectory of the epidemic, the response from authorities has remained sluggish and inadequate.
In Sindh province alone, the health minister was recently briefed about the “extremely alarming” spread of the virus; an outbreak that has already affected 3,995 registered HIV-positive children. Compounding the crisis is the existence of over 600,000 unlicensed or fake doctors, nearly 40 percent of whom operate in Karachi.
Officials have identified several dangerous practices that have accelerated the spread of the virus: unethical medical treatments by unqualified practitioners, unsafe blood transfusions from unregulated blood banks, the use of contaminated syringes and dental tools, and even the sale of hospital waste. These conditions reveal not just negligence but a systemic failure to enforce global medical safety protocols.
Issuing routine directives is clearly insufficient. The gravity of this health disaster demands comprehensive accountability mechanisms, properly maintained medical databases, and a robust certification system to identify and regulate legitimate healthcare providers. Without substantial investment in healthcare reform and strict enforcement of medical ethics, the system will continue to falter.
The tragedy of HIV/AIDS in Pakistan extends beyond medical failings; it is compounded by social stigma and widespread misconceptions about the disease. This stigma prevents many from seeking diagnosis or treatment, turning a manageable condition into a death sentence for thousands. To counter this, awareness and education must begin early, with schools and colleges integrating lessons on HIV prevention and the science of how the virus attacks the immune system.
Eradicating HIV/AIDS will require an inclusive approach that reaches every patient and vulnerable community especially drug users, commercial sex workers, and members of the transgender community. The government must scale up testing facilities, ensure uninterrupted access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), eliminate quack doctors, and enforce infection-control measures across hospitals and blood banks.
However, medical solutions alone are not enough. Sustainable change will come only through social and economic reform by alleviating poverty, keeping children in school, and strengthening public health infrastructure. Most importantly, societal attitudes must evolve. Seeking treatment should not be an act of shame but one of empowerment. Only when compassion, awareness, and accountability converge can Pakistan hope to stem the tide of HIV and protect its most vulnerable citizens.
Source: Shafaqna Pakistan
Note: Shafaqna do not endorse the views expressed in the article