HIV cases double in a decade, only 16% getting treatment: economic survey

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ISLAMABAD: According to Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, the spread of HIV in this country has doubled over the past decade, which has increased from 0.1 percent to 0.2 percent in 2015, which means that 350,000 to 480,000 people are now living with this disease, which is now living with 100,000.

The growing number of viruses has been highlighted, yet several donor financing measures and national programs are aimed at preventing and treating.

Economic survey shows that only 76,167 people living with HIV are currently registered for treatment in Pakistan, while only 53,635 are treating infectious disease. This suggests that more than 400,000 people are unconstitutional or they are not receiving life -saving antitrical therapy (ART).

Experts have warned that this extensive distance in treatment coverage not only threatens the lives of the affected people, but also in high -risk populations, increases the chances of continuous transmission.

Although the spread is usually relatively low, the proportional of cases is doubled over a decade. The virus is focused on weak and backward groups.

According to the recent estimates by the Common Management Unit (CMU) and the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), the spread of HIV in injection drug users is more than 21 % in several urban centers.

In men who have sex with men, its spread is estimated at about 5.4 %, while transgender people face close to 7.5 %. In different regions, female sex workers also exhibit rates between 2 and 4 percent.

In fiscal year 2025, HIV prevention services have been extended to 51 fixed and mobile service supply sites nationwide. The CMU also launched regional language awareness campaigns through electronic and digital platforms to counter infamy and promote preliminary testing and diagnosis.

However, despite these measures, Pakistan is still behind the goals of international HIV control. Art coverage is less than 16 %, which is much lower than the goals of UNAIDS 95-95-95, which calls for 95 % of HIV positives to know their status, 95 % of the medical diagnostics, and 95 % of the people treated 95 % to suppress the viral burden.

The economic survey calls for more integrated and strong action. Although the support of the Global Fund has ensured the availability of many diagnostic kits, anti -diarrhea drugs, salaries for health staff, and services, especially in rural and difficult areas.

An important challenge is a permanent lack of viral load testing facilities, which are important to monitor treatment success. In addition, Madison Stockouts and purchases are delayed. This is sometimes increased due to tense trade relations with India.

The government has been urged to integrate HIV reaction efforts in vast healthcare systems, including maternity and child health services, prison health programs and schemes to reduce losses.

Workers and health experts are also pressing for domestic financing, policy reforms, and weakened communities to create an environment for effective HIV response. Without such systemic changes, the country plays the risk of furthering its efforts to achieve a sustainable development goal 3, which aims to eliminate AIDS outbreaks by 2030.

It is estimated that 480,000 people who are now living with HIV, Pakistan stands at a confluence. Its choice is between accelerating its health commitment or facing a deep epidemic, which threatens not only individual lives but also a broader purpose of national health safety.