Sindh has experienced a notable increase in HIV infections during 2026, with the total reported cases reaching 894, health authorities revealed. Among these, 329 children have been diagnosed this year alone, comprising 188 boys and 141 girls.
Medical experts attribute a considerable portion of these infections to unsafe healthcare practices, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced preventive protocols and improved medical standards throughout the province. They also warned that the repercussions of the 2019 Rato Dero HIV outbreak persist, as new cases continue to surface in the affected regions.
Meanwhile, there is a rising trend of HIV infections among adults, prompting calls for more robust prevention strategies, comprehensive awareness initiatives, and routine screening programs. Officials stressed that early detection and prompt treatment are crucial to curbing the virus’s spread.
The Health Department confirmed ongoing efforts to increase screening and public education across Sindh. On a national level, the National Assembly was informed during a question hour session on March 30 that a total of 84,421 HIV/AIDS patients are registered under the National AIDS Control Program.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal provided written details during the session, noting that most registered patients reside in Punjab and Sindh, Pakistan’s most populous provinces. He further highlighted that these individuals receive free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) at 98 designated treatment centers across the country.
