The government has prepared a national strategy to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, as well as a comprehensive programme to eliminate hepatitis C from Pakistan, Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal informed the National Assembly in a written reply during the question hour.
In his response to a question by Malik Shakir Bashir Awan, the minister said the National AIDS Control Programme and the Common Management Unit have completed an assessment of the HIV situation in the country, while a team of national and international experts has completed a review of joint prevention programmes.
Consequently, a national strategy for HIV prevention for 2026-2031 has been prepared alongside separate provincial plans, and the process of formulating a comprehensive national policy across the country, including consultations, is being initiated. Under the national hepatitis C elimination programme, the government has formulated a strategy offering free screening, diagnosis, treatment, public awareness, and continuous monitoring.
Eligible individuals aged 12 years and above will be screened, with positive cases undergoing PCR testing and confirmed patients receiving free treatment. In Islamabad, 40 health centres are providing services under the programme, while around 50 lady health workers are being trained in screening, testing, and awareness.
Training activities have also begun in Gilgit-Baltistan, where the formal launch of the programme is expected soon. To prevent the spread of hepatitis C, the government is emphasising the use of safe injections, blood screening, and effective sterilisation of medical equipment.
A public awareness media campaign regarding screening and treatment was planned to begin in the first week of October 2026. The federal and provincial health departments are jointly implementing the elimination programme, guided and monitored by a national task force to achieve set targets.
In another written reply, details of employees merged into the Ministry of National Health Services from various government departments were provided to the House. The personnel include doctors, medical officers, and subordinate staff from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Climate Change, Punjab Health Department, Azad Kashmir Health Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Population Welfare Department, and other institutions.
The details also cover employees posted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Federal General Hospital, and other medical facilities.