Pakistan is confronting a widespread HIV epidemic, with unsafe medical practices accelerating the spread of blood-borne diseases across the country, warned former health minister Dr. Zafar Mirza. He highlighted that Pakistan currently has the fastest-growing number of AIDS cases in Asia, referencing estimates from UNAIDS.
In a significant development, Mirza pointed to recent findings from a documentary exposing hazardous conditions at Taunsa’s Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, describing these as merely the surface of a much larger problem. Similar unsafe practices are reportedly prevalent in numerous districts nationwide.
He emphasized that the transmission of HIV and other infections is largely driven by medical malpractice, including the reuse of disposable syringes by healthcare workers and drug users, unscreened blood transfusions, and unhygienic procedures such as sharing shaving instruments. Additionally, Pakistan bears one of the highest global burdens of hepatitis C, with an estimated 10 million people affected.
Mirza recalled the 2020 HIV outbreak in Rato Dero, which prompted the formation of a national task force focused on injection safety. This led to the development of a National Action Plan and a ban on the import, manufacture, and use of reusable disposable syringes. The transition to auto-destruct syringes marked progress; however, he noted persistent implementation challenges due to weak governance and a lack of accountability.
Repeated outbreaks, including the 2009 incident in Jalalpur Jattan, demonstrate systemic failures to maintain reforms beyond immediate crisis responses. Mirza highlighted ongoing issues such as fragile supply chains, vacant positions in public hospitals, and underfunded health services, which continue to compromise healthcare delivery, especially for low-income populations dependent on public facilities.
He warned that media coverage often diminishes after outbreaks, while the underlying risks remain unaddressed. Children are among the most vulnerable, with some reportedly contracting HIV through unsafe injections, resulting in lifelong treatment for survivors. Mirza described this situation as a “scandal” demanding urgent corrective measures.
Calling for health to become a fiscal priority, he stressed the importance of reducing reliance on international donors and increasing national ownership of the healthcare system. “These are our children, our people, and our responsibility,” he said, urging immediate reforms to prevent further outbreaks and enhance accountability within the health sector.
