Pakistan is currently witnessing one of the fastest-growing epidemics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, with new infections increasing by 200% over the past 15 years, from 16,000 in 2010 to 48,000 in 2024, as reported by Dawn.
This information was shared with participants of a walk arranged by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNAIDS in honor of World AIDS Day. HIV used to primarily affect high-risk groups, but it now affects children, spouses, and the general public. This is mostly because of unsafe blood management and injection practices, inadequate infection prevention and control, inadequate HIV testing during prenatal care, unprotected sexual activity, stigma, and limited access to HIV services.

Under the theme "Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response," WHO and UNAIDS collaborated with Pakistan's Ministry of Health to commemorate the day.
"The discrimination, stigma, and this disease cannot be addressed by us alone. It must involve the communities and the health regulatory authorities. We need collective efforts to eliminate unsafe practices in injections and blood transfusions. Education is essential. We also need to engage our clinicians. Together, we can reach our objectives. We must provide children and adults in Pakistan with the healthy, HIV-free future they deserve," said Ayesha Isani, Director General of the Health Ministry, according to a Dawn article.

It is estimated that 350,000 individuals are living with HIV in Pakistan, however over 80% of those affected are uninformed of their status. Children are particularly impacted, with new cases among those aged 0-14 rising from 530 in 2010 to 1,800 in 2023.
Over the past decade, Pakistan has raised the number of individuals living with HIV who receive antiretroviral medication (ART) eightfold, from around 6,500 in 2013 to 55,500 in 2024--thanks to concerted efforts by the government, UN agencies, and partners.
The number of antiretroviral therapy clinics has also risen from 13 in 2010 to 95 in 2025.The number of antiretroviral therapy clinics has also risen from 13 in 2010 to 95 in 2025. Despite this progress, only about 21% of people living with HIV knew their status in 2024; 16% of these individuals were on treatment, and 7% had achieved viral load suppression. In 2024, there were over 1,100 documented AIDS-related fatalities, as highlighted by Dawn.
"The rise in new cases and recent outbreaks that have particularly impacted children--threatening their futures as well as that of Pakistan, serve as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to enhance collaborative efforts and mobilise both domestic and international resources to eradicate AIDS as a public health threat.

As stressed in the Dawn report, Dr. Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Pakistan, stated, "WHO will support Pakistan and its partners in safeguarding current and future generations from HIV, ensuring that no one is left behind."

In Pakistan, children have unfortunately been exposed to HIV due to unsafe injections and blood transfusions during recent outbreaks in locations such as Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad, Naushahro Feroze, Pathan Colony (2025), Taunsa (2024), Mirpur Khas (2024), Jacobabad, and Shikarpur (2023), as well as Larkana (2019). In many of these outbreaks, more than 80% of the documented cases affected youngsters, according to the Dawn report.Thousands of children are at risk because only 14% of pregnant women who require medication to stop HIV transmission from mother to child obtain it. Among children aged 0-14 living with HIV, only 38% are receiving treatment, as shown by the Dawn report. (ANI)