December 1 is marked as World AIDS Day with people and communities around the globe showing solidarity with those living with HIV, raising awareness, while also remembering the ones who lost their lives battling the illness.
According to the Ministry of Health, 9,284 new HIV patients have been diagnosed in Pakistan in 2023.
About 900 to 1,000 new cases of HIV are reported every month, whereas earlier in 2022, more than 10,000 cases of HIV were reported.
Most of the cases are reportedly documented in Punjab and Sindh, while people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are also diagnosed positive for HIV.
Additionally, around 40 to 50 new cases are being reported every month from Islamabad and surrounding areas, including Kashmir.
Most cases of HIV infections are found accidentally during routine tests, indicating that Pakistan needs to increase specific HIV testing.
