THE number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases that keep appearing every now and then in the national media are seriously disturbing. One such report said that more than 600 HIV cases had been detected in the federal capital area in the last one year alone. A majority of these cases is of adult males, followed by adult females, transgenders and, shock-ingly, children. As such, the consistent detection of new HIV cases indicates continued transmission of HIV within urban networks.

As the statistics reveal, more than half of HIV-infected individuals happen to be young men, and, according to health officials quoted by media reports, most such patients confess having indulged in unsafe practices under the influence of drugs, including methamphetamine, generally known as ‘ice’. Health experts believe that prolonged usage of drugs associated with questionable activities significantly increases the risk of HIV transmission. Although the health ministry has lately insisted that the numbers are rising not because of fast spread of HIV, but because of more efficient screening, testing and identification of infected persons.

Health experts have revealed that such activities are noted in multiple groups, including men, transgender people and sex workers, who are contributing to the spread of HIV in urban locations. The presence of HIV infection among women, transgender people and children indicates transmission to a wider population.

As is common knowledge, HIV targets the body’s white blood cells, weakens the immune system and makes it vulnerable to serious risks. World Health Organisation (WHO) data reveals that HIV has so far taken more than 40 million lives world-wide, and almost as many individuals are presently HIV-infected. In Pakistan, even conservative estimates have put the number of HIV-infected individuals at over 350,000.

In the given alarming situation, imme-diate, serious and effective preventive interventions are essentially required on the part of respective health authorities. The government needs to accord top priority to the national health sector, and divert more funds towards extensive testing facilities, safer blood transfusions and surgical procedures, and sufficient availability of disposable syringes and preventive medicines in all public-sector hospitals. Awareness sessions should also be massively held at hospitals, educational and even religious institutions to promote healthy and safe lifestyles.

Waheed ur Rehman
Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2026