IN a quiet corner of a clinic in Punjab, a mother sits with her young son, holding his hand as she struggles to make sense of a diagnosis that has turned her world upside down. There is no family history, no clear explanation and no easy way to absorb the shock. Yet stories like hers are no longer isolated. They are becoming part of a troubling pattern that reflects the growing HIV/AIDS crisis in Punjab. As we move through 2026, it is increasingly clear that this is no longer a distant public health concern. It is an emergency unfolding in real time, with devastating consequences for families across the province. The scale of the crisis is deeply alarming. Tens of thousands of people in Punjab are living with HIV and many are still not receiving treatment. Even more concerning is the large number of undiagnosed cases that continue to drive silent transmission. If this trajectory continues unchecked, the province risks facing not only a heavier disease burden but also deeper social and economic consequences in the years ahead. Most heartbreaking of all is the growing number of children affected by the disease.
Recent reporting, including a BBC investigation highlighted by *Dawn*, has made the danger impossible to ignore. In Taunsa, an outbreak involving hundreds of children raised serious concerns about infection control practices in healthcare settings. The investigation documented troubling practices at a government hospital, including the reuse of syringes on medication vials and unsafe injection procedures. While officials disputed a definitive epidemiological link between the hospital and the outbreak, the incident still exposed the catastrophic consequences that lapses in basic medical safety can produce. Punjab must treat this situation as a public health emergency requiring immediate and coordinated action. HIV treatment is essential not only for the survival of those living with the virus but also for preventing further transmission. Yet access to antiretroviral therapy remains uneven, particularly in underserved areas. When individuals cannot access treatment, the epidemic continues to grow quietly and relentlessly.
The provincial government must ensure that comprehensive HIV treatment is available in every district. Antiretroviral therapy should be provided free of cost to all those who need it, while patient confidentiality must be strictly protected so that fear and stigma do not prevent people from seeking care. District-wise planning is essential to guarantee that testing, treatment and follow-up services reach every city, town and village in the province. At the same time, treatment alone cannot solve the crisis if the underlying drivers of infection remain unaddressed. Prevention through education and awareness must become a central pillar of the response. Risk factors such as unsafe drug use, unprotected sex and poor medical practices require targeted interventions and public education campaigns. Vulnerable groups, including drug users, sex workers and young people, need access to accurate information, early testing and supportive health services.
The response must also extend beyond clinical treatment to address the broader social realities faced by people living with HIV. Poverty, social exclusion and lack of economic opportunity often make long-term care and recovery far more difficult. This is why rehabilitation and vocational training should be treated as part of the public health response, not as an afterthought. Skills development in areas such as information technology, carpentry, tailoring and healthcare support can help affected individuals rebuild their lives, regain confidence and move toward financial independence. When people are given a realistic path to stable employment, they are better able to stay engaged with treatment and less vulnerable to the conditions that deepen illness and exclusion.
Strengthening healthcare infrastructure is equally critical. Hospitals and clinics across Punjab must be equipped to handle the growing demand for HIV services. Healthcare professionals require proper training in infection control and patient care, while monitoring systems must ensure that individuals diagnosed with HIV remain on treatment and adhere to their medication regimens. Outreach services are also essential so that remote or underserved populations are not left behind.
Perhaps, the most difficult challenge is confronting the stigma surrounding HIV. Fear of discrimination continues to discourage many individuals from seeking testing or treatment. Public awareness campaigns must emphasize that HIV is a manageable medical condition and that those living with the virus deserve compassion, dignity and support rather than judgment. A more informed and empathetic society will make it easier for individuals to come forward and receive care. Punjab stands at a crossroads. The province has the knowledge, the tools and the capacity to respond to this epidemic. What is required now is the collective will to act decisively. By strengthening treatment access, improving prevention efforts, investing in rehabilitation programmes and addressing stigma, Punjab can protect thousands of lives and prevent further tragedy. The time for action is now.
—The author is a writer and social advocate focusing on public health and social issues in Pakistan.
