Says currently 84,000 registered 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 Taunsa, Islamabad, stating that there were currently 84,000 registered HIV cases in the country, with only 21,000 patients receiving treatment. Radio Pakistan reported
The minister referred to a BBC report published earlier in April revealing cases of “gross maltreatment” in the children’s ward of a government hospital in Taunsa, Punjab, continues 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 broadcaster reported that after 106 children were infected, officials announced a “massive crackdown” and suspended the hospital’s medical superintendent in March 2025. However, an insider told BBC that conditions remained unchanged.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, the minister stated that no outbreak had been reported in Taunsa or Islamabad in 2026, adding that the incident in Taunsa dates back to 2024.
“There are 618 registered cases in Islamabad, including 210 local cases, while 408 are from outside the city,” he said.
Kamal said experts estimated there were about 369,000 HIV cases in Pakistan, but only 84,000 had been recorded, with 21,000 patients receiving treatment. The remaining patients were “missing”.
Read more: NA panel takes alarm at Taunsa HIV case, seeks detailed briefing
The minister said while providing data 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 were 160 districts across the country and 68 treatment centers for HIV, adding that the government was working to increase their number.
Kamal said the government was giving free medicine, adding, “If these missing people don’t take medicine from here, they won’t get it from anywhere.” He emphasized that HIV was not incurable and did not lead to instant death. “It’s a misunderstanding,” he said. “The only condition is that medication must be taken for life.”
The minister said that “treatment also prevents transmission of the disease to others,” and urged people not to hide their condition, as secrecy could lead to further spread.
Kamal said that while Pakistan had been focused on preventing war, “fake news” about HIV had emerged during that period. He added that the use of recycled syringes had been banned and now even 10cc syringes would be made single-use and non-reusable.
The minister called the Global Fund “the real champion” in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but criticized the theft of $800,000 worth of medical mosquito nets, saying it’s “shameful that the world is helping us and that’s what we’re doing.”
He added that the healthcare system was a matter of national security and warned that neglecting it could harm the economy.
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Last week, the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) termed the rising HIV cases in the country, especially in Taunsa tehsil, as alarming and directed that a detailed briefing be presented in the next meeting. The committee highlighted the situation in Taunsa where 331 cases had been reported and sought clarification on the matter.
Medical experts at the HIV Center of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) expressed concern over an increase in the number of patients, noting that the presence of HIV cases among children was particularly alarming.
Dr. Zubair Abdullah, program manager of the AIDS control programme, said the apparent increase in cases at the PIMS HIV center was largely due to more people coming forward for screening.
According to details released by the Department of National Health Services, the highest monthly figure was recorded in March 2026 with 40 cases, while January 2026 was 41 cases. In the first 20 days of April, 11 new cases were reported.
Male patients outnumber females, with cases also identified among transgender individuals, while detection of HIV among children remains a cause for concern.
