HIV cases in Pakistan are increasing alarmingly as 46,912 HIV patients have been registered out of which 26,093 are taking HIV medicine.
On Wednesday, the National Assembly informed about another shocking information about HIV positive cases in the country. While the delta variant of COVID-19 cases are still alarming, HIV positive cases have become another big issue.
Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination in a written reply shared with the House, in a written reply, during Question-Hour session said, “The National AIDS Control Program has established 50 HIV, Treatment Centers in which 46,912 HIV patients are registered.
Read more: HIV infections and deaths on the rise in Pakistan
“Out of these patients 26,093 on treatment who are taking HIV medicine. 7,264 people Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs) are also on Treatment,” according to the shared breakup.
A total number of 7,538 death cases of HIV patients are recorded. Each HIV center consists of physician, Nurse/Paramedic, Counselor, Case Manager and Data Entry Operator.
It was also informed that the National AIDS Control Program has also established 17 Community Based Organizations (CBOs) dealing with key population.
“94,978 Men having Sex with Men (MSMs) are registered with these organizations whereas 36,553 Transgenders (TGs) and 22,754 Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are registered,”the ministry informed in written reply. It further said that the National AIDS Control Program has established 16 HIV treatment centers in Sindh province.
Moreover, NACP provides number of HIV interventions at Primary Health Care for Universal Health Coverage in Pakistan.
The ministry claimed in reply that Pakistan provided continuous service delivery during COVID-19 pandemic. “Our HIV control efforts were adapted to ensure the continuous supply of services such as multi month administration to facilitate the People Living with, HIV in getting sufficient stocks of antiretroviral at the geographically nearest center etc”.
