In the meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly of Pakistan, there has been a shocking revelation about the health system of the country. The meeting was told that many private hospitals and dispensaries in Islamabad do not even have valid licenses. In addition, unsafe injection practices, reuse of syringes and lack of awareness are considered to be the main reasons for the spread of HIV. Reports of HIV positive newborns, particularly in Sindh and other areas, have raised serious concerns in the committee.
According to a Dawn newspaper report, the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSR&C) has made a shocking revelation that there are 3 lakh HIV cases in Pakistan, out of which only 34,000 patients are being treated.
What did the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination say?
The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) on Friday expressed grave concern over the 300,000 HIV cases reported in Pakistan and said that while only 87,000 people have been diagnosed, only 34,000 patients are currently under treatment. It further said that the committee was informed that despite the establishment of Islamabad Health Services Regulatory Authority (IHRA) in 2018, none of the private hospitals and dispensaries in Islamabad have valid licenses.
Are concerns being raised?
According to Dawn newspaper, serious concerns were raised about uncontrolled prices by private hospitals, lack of charitable care, detention of patients and dead bodies for payment of bills, poor solid waste management, illegal clinics, unsafe abortions and sale of medicines by pharmacies without prescription. Parliament House MP Dr. These concerns were discussed at the meeting chaired by Mahesh Kumar Malani, which aimed to address critical public health challenges, regulatory gaps in the private healthcare sector and policy barriers affecting medical education and patient welfare.
During the meeting, members highlighted critical issues related to the identification of hotspots and red zones, particularly alarming reports of HIV-positive newborns in Sindh and other areas of Pakistan. The committee directed the ministry to clarify whether the information provided about HIV positive newborns is false or reflects ground realities. It called for random testing, preventive measures and nationwide awareness campaigns.
What next?
The members present expressed concern over unsafe injection practices, reuse of syringes and unnecessary injections in private health facilities and recommended shifting to oral medication wherever possible. The ministry cited stigma, lack of awareness and unsafe medical practices as the main reasons for the spread of HIV.
Validation of Medical and Dental College Entrance Test (MDCAT) results, vacant seats and other issues related to seat change were also discussed in the meeting.
What did the WHO say?
According to the World Health Organization, in December last year it was found that Pakistan is the epicenter of one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region. Infections have increased by 200% in the last 15 years – from 16,000 in 2010 to 48,000 in 2024.
In the past HIV mainly affected high-risk groups, according to WHO EMRO, HIV is now spreading to children, spouses and the wider community because of unsafe blood handling and injection practices, deficiencies in infection prevention and control, lack of HIV testing during antenatal care, unprotected sexual activity, stigma and limited access to HIV services.
ANI reports – It is estimated that 350,000 people in Pakistan are suffering from HIV, but nearly 8 out of 10 people affected are unaware of their status. Children are increasingly affected. New cases among 0-14 year olds increased from 530 in 2010 to 1800 in 2023
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