QUETTA: Health officials have revealed an alarming gap between estimated and registered HIV/AIDS cases in Pakistan, urging scholars and media to lead public awareness efforts. At a seminar at the Quetta Press Club, officials from the Balochistan AIDS Control Program (BACP) stated that while an estimated 210,000 people in Pakistan are living with HIV/AIDS, only 49,584 are formally registered with health authorities.
The seminar, held in collaboration with UNICEF, highlighted the critical role of community leaders in combating the disease. Provincial Coordinator Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Baloch, alongside religious scholars and NGO representatives, emphasized the persistent and severe nature of the epidemic. “The most worrying thing is that after getting AIDS, complete recovery is not possible. Therefore, special attention needs to be paid to the prevention,” he stated.
Citing 2022 UNAIDS data, officials noted a staggering 84% increase in the infection rate from 2010 to 2021. Currently, only about 13% of estimated patients are on life-saving medication, a figure drastically below the global target of 95%.
Speakers underscored that with the disease disproportionately affecting youth and millions lost globally, a societal response is vital. They called upon respected religious leaders, journalists, and professionals from all fields to disseminate accurate information and combat stigma, which is seen as a major barrier to testing and treatment. The seminar concluded that leveraging the unique moral authority of scholars is essential for preventive education in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
