A high-level HIV task force, constituted on the Prime Minister’s orders after reported HIV cases, held its second meeting under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Health Dr Mukhtar Bhurth to review investigations and strengthen prevention measures.
Members and representatives from relevant institutions attended, including former Special Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, Major General (Retd) Azhar Mahmood Kiani appointed as task force chairman, the Special Secretary Interior Islamabad, the Additional Secretary Health and the Director General Health. Senior public health officials present included Dr Saira Afzal, Dean of the Institute of Public Health Lahore, Vice Chancellor Dr Shehzad Ali Khan from the Health Services Academy and infectious disease specialist Dr Sabiya Qazi, with provincial health secretaries joining by video link.
Officials from the National Institute of Health, DRAP, provincial health departments and the UNAIDS Common Management Unit also participated. The task force emphasised that its mandate is to investigate the incidents, identify any responsible parties and issue actionable recommendations to prevent future occurrences.
The task force instructed a comprehensive probe into reports of reuse of contaminated syringes and directed relevant agencies to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medical supplies so that syringes are not reused. It called for DRAP to conduct a strict national crackdown on sale or mislabelling of reusable syringes and for constant monitoring of all medical stores, pharmacies and distribution networks.
To strengthen surveillance and response, the group agreed to activate a real-time dashboard integrating NIH, CDC and CMU data to monitor HIV cases, analyse trends and improve coordination. The task force also proposed adding HIV to the list of notifiable diseases and launching a nationwide awareness campaign to curb transmission through unsafe medical practices.
Measures agreed include mandatory HIV testing within screening processes, compulsory inspections of medical centres and pharmacies with stringent penalties for violations, and clear, enforceable responsibilities for institutions to implement sustainable interventions. The task force urged that infection prevention and control measures be reinforced across the country.
Priority actions highlighted access to testing and treatment in high-risk groups and affected areas, doorstep delivery of medications and quality medical support for children living with HIV, and strengthened border health screening for deportees at airports and entry points. The task force underscored that healthcare commissions nationwide must be fully empowered to enforce regulations and ensure timely implementation of recommendations.
