Syeda Aaleen Hussain
While global initiatives have significantly reduced the public health burden of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), data indicates that Pakistan is observing an escalation in newly acquired transmissions.
According to a joint call to action issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS on World AIDS Day, Pakistan’s epidemic has emerged as one of the fastest growing in the region. Joint epidemiological data indicates that new HIV infections in the country rose by approximately 200% between 2010 and 2024, positioning it as a critical domestic public health challenge.Years of medical progress have completely changed what it means to live with the virus.
With regular use of modern medication (Antiretroviral Therapy), HIV is no longer a fatal condition but a manageable chronic disease. Studies show that with proper treatment, people living with HIV can expect to live as long as anyone else does. Furthermore, Global clinical guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirm the principle of “Undetectable = Untransmittable” (U=U): when an individual’s viral load is suppressed to undetectable levels through regular treatment, the risk of transmitting the virus to intimate partners is structurally zero.
However, public awareness in Pakistan has not entirely aligned with these scientific realities. Pervasive misconceptions suggest that HIV can be transmitted via casual social contact, such as shaking hands or sharing meals. Epidemiological field investigations published in The Lancet and the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal clarify that the primary drivers of transmission are rooted in unsafe medical practices rather than casual interaction.
In several areas, outbreaks that heavily affected children have been directly linked to reusing dirty syringes, using unscreened blood for transfusions, and poor cleanliness habits in unlicensed clinics. Furthermore, public health reporting from the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and UNAIDS Pakistan shows that while transmission remains highly concentrated among key vulnerable groups, gaps in screening have increasingly exposed spouses and children to the virus. Mother-to-child transmission also persists as a severe challenge, as UNAIDS data highlights that only a minority of pregnant women requiring preventive interventions receive the necessary antenatal screening to protect their infants.
The Government of Pakistan currently provides subsidized HIV testing and free antiretroviral treatment through an expanded network of 98 specialized Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centers, supported by the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite this infrastructure, joint monitoring data from UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that only an estimated 16% of the total population living with HIV in Pakistan is actively receiving treatment. This reveals that a vast majority of the total estimated population remains undiagnosed and unaware of their health status.
Addressing this public health crisis requires make testing services available in local neighborhoods, improve rural healthcare, and strictly enforce safe syringe use and blood screening. Ultimately, managing HIV in Pakistan requires more than medicine. It requires compassion. Fear of stigma and discrimination forces many people to suffer in silence. A healthier Pakistan is one where every person can seek testing and treatment with dignity, respect and without fear of judgment.
