In a recent meeting, Pakistan’s National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services expressed serious concerns regarding what it deemed as “unreliable and incomplete” statistics related to HIV/AIDS in the country. The committee’s session, chaired by Mahesh Kumar Malani, highlighted potential international embarrassment if the inaccurate figures are presented to global health organizations.

During the discussions, lawmakers scrutinized the data provided by the Ministry of Health, pointing out inconsistencies between federal reports and provincial statistics. Health officials informed the committee that the National AIDS Programme allocates an estimated annual expenditure between $300 and $500 for each registered HIV patient in Pakistan. However, this figure was met with skepticism.

Discrepancies in Reported HIV Cases

Shazia Sobia Somro, a Member of the National Assembly from the Pakistan Peoples Party, was particularly vocal in her criticism of the health ministry’s report. She contended that the report overlooked a substantial number of HIV cases across the nation. According to her, approximately 40,000 HIV patients were documented in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2025, alongside nearly 300 cases in Islamabad and an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 in Balochistan. In stark contrast, the federal report cited only 81,000 cases nationwide, neglecting detailed statistics from various regions.

Somro warned that submitting such flawed data to international organizations could have detrimental effects on Pakistan’s reputation. Additionally, she alleged that the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority submitted outdated data instead of current statistics when requested, raising concerns about the overall oversight and governance in public health reporting.

Federal Response and Ongoing Challenges

In response to the committee’s findings, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal acknowledged the persistent systemic issues within the health sector, asserting that it would be unrealistic to expect all problems to be resolved quickly. He characterized estimates that suggest Pakistan has an HIV burden of around 300,000 as largely theoretical and unverified.

The minister further elaborated on the funding dynamics under the Global Fund framework, indicating that 25% of the resources are allocated through the government while the remaining 75% are dispensed to non-governmental organizations. This arrangement underscores the complexities involved in the national response to the HIV epidemic.

Broader Issues in Public Health Management

During the session, Somro also brought up disturbing reports suggesting that illegal abortions could be occurring in as many as 60% of certain cases. This issue raises significant questions regarding governance and regulatory measures in health management across the country. The committee’s discussions indicate a growing recognition of the need for better data accuracy and effective oversight in public health policy to safeguard national interests and public health outcomes.

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