KARACHI: The spread of HIV in Pakistan is reaching alarming levels, with experts cautioning that the country is moving against global trends where new infections are steadily declining.
Recent estimates indicate a 4.3-fold increase in HIV cases since 2010, with the total number of people living with the virus nearing 350,000 by 2024. Health specialists attribute the surge to deep-rooted weaknesses in the healthcare system, including unsafe medical practices and poor infection control measures.
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According to a white paper issued by the Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan, deaths linked to AIDS have risen sharply, increasing 6.4 times from around 2,200 in 2010 to approximately 14,000 annually.
The report highlights a critical gap in diagnosis and treatment, noting that only 21 per cent of infected individuals are aware of their status, while just 16pc are receiving treatment — figures significantly below global benchmarks.
Experts warn that HIV transmission in Pakistan is no longer confined to traditionally high-risk groups, but is increasingly spreading within the general population, particularly among women and children. Nearly 39pc of new cases are now being reported among individuals previously considered low-risk.
Over the past two decades, the country has witnessed several major outbreaks, including in Ratodero, Faisalabad, Kot Imrana, and Jalalpur Jattan. The 2019 outbreak in Ratodero — located in Larkana — remains one of the most severe globally involving children, with over 1,000 cases reported, 82pc of them under the age of 15.
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Investigations into the Ratodero outbreak revealed that 99pc of affected children had received injections prior to contracting the virus, while most of their mothers tested HIV-negative — strongly pointing to transmission through unsafe medical practices.
Recent incidents suggest that such risks persist. In 2024, HIV was detected in 31 patients at a dialysis unit in Multan, where a single source of infection was identified. Similarly, in 2025, more than 15 children in SITE Town were diagnosed with HIV after being linked to the same healthcare facility, with at least two fatalities reported.
Health experts have identified Pakistan’s widespread “injection culture” as a major driver of the crisis, with individuals receiving an average of eight to 13 injections annually. The practice is fuelled by a public perception that injections are more effective, alongside financial incentives for some practitioners.
Alarmingly, reports suggest that up to 38pc of doctors reuse syringes — a highly dangerous practice that significantly increases the risk of infection. Unsafe blood transfusions, unregulated blood banks, and the presence of untrained medical practitioners further compound the problem.
The report also underscores broader systemic failures, noting that 44pc of new hepatitis C infections in Pakistan are linked to unsafe injections. Healthcare workers themselves face considerable risks, with 66 to 77pc experiencing needlestick injuries, while protective gloves are reportedly not used in 90pc of such cases.
Experts have called for urgent reforms, including stricter regulation of medical practices, improved infection control protocols, and expanded access to testing and treatment, warning that without immediate intervention, the situation could worsen significantly in the coming years.
‘HIV spreading beyond high-risk groups into general population’
