There are currently 84,000 recorded HIV cases in the country, with only 21,000 patients receiving treatment
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal. Photo:X
ISLAMABAD:
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday dismissed reports of an HIV outbreak in Islamabad’s Taunsa, saying there were currently 84,000 recorded HIV cases in the country, with only 21,000 patients receiving treatment. Radio Pakistan reported
The minister was referring to a BBC report published in early April revealing instances of “serious malpractice” in the children’s ward of a government hospital in Taunsa, Punjab, which continued months after the facility was linked to an HIV outbreak among children last year. An increase in HIV cases at Taunsa Tehsil Headquarters Hospital was first reported in late 2024.
The TV channel reported that after 106 children were infected, authorities announced a “massive crackdown” and suspended the hospital’s medical director in March 2025. However, a close source told the channel BBC that the conditions remain unchanged.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad today, the minister said no outbreak was reported in Taunsa or Islamabad in 2026, adding that the Taunsa incident was in 2024.
“There are 618 cases registered in Islamabad, including 210 local cases, while 408 are from outside the city,” he said.
Kamal said that according to experts, there should have been around 369,000 HIV cases in Pakistan, but only 84,000 were registered, and 21,000 patients were receiving treatment. The remaining patients were “missing.”
Learn more: NA panel alarmed by HIV cases in Taunsa, calls for detailed information
The minister, while providing data, said that in 2020, 37,944 people were screened at 49 centers across the country, of which 6,910 tested positive.
“By 2025, the number of testing centers increased to 97, with 374,126 tests conducted and 14,182 positive cases detected,” he added.
The minister said the trend remained “normal” and there had been no sudden increase in infections.
He said there are 160 districts across the country and 68 HIV treatment centers, adding that the government is working to increase their number.
Kamal said the government was providing medicines free of charge, adding: “If these missing people don’t take their medicines here, they won’t get them anywhere.” He stressed that HIV was not incurable and did not cause immediate death. “That’s a misconception,” he said. “The only condition is that the medication is taken for life.”
The minister said “treatment also prevents transmission of the disease to others”, urging people not to hide their condition, as secrecy could lead to further spread.
Kamal said that although Pakistan had focused on preventing war, “fake news” about HIV had emerged during this period. He added that the use of reused syringes had been banned and now even 10 cc syringes would be single-use and non-reusable.
The minister described the Global Fund as a “true champion” in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but criticized the theft of medicated mosquito nets worth $800,000, saying it was “shameful that the world is helping us and this is what we are doing.”
He added that the health system was a matter of national security, warning that neglecting it could harm the economy.
Learn more: 255 cases of Leishmania reported in South Waziristan
Last week, the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSR&C) described as alarming the rise in HIV cases in the country, especially in Taunsa tehsil, and ordered that a detailed briefing be made in the next meeting. Highlighting the situation in Taunsa, where 331 cases were reported, the committee sought clarification on the matter.
Medical experts at the HIV Center of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) expressed concern over the increase in the number of patients, noting that the presence of HIV cases among children was particularly alarming.
Dr Zubair Abdullah, head of the AIDS program, said the apparent increase in cases at the PIMS HIV center was largely due to more people coming forward for testing.
According to details released by the Ministry of National Health Services, the highest monthly figure was recorded in March 2026, with 40 cases, while in January 2026, 41 cases were recorded. In the first 20 days of April, 11 new cases were reported.
Male patients outnumber females, with cases also identified among transgender people, while HIV detection in children remains a cause for concern.
