Stigma continues to hinder HIV testing and treatment, particularly among high-risk groups.
Methamphetamine use during chemsex has emerged as a hidden yet rapidly growing issue. Experts caution that without targeted harm-reduction strategies, this practice will exacerbate infection rates.
Provincial data underscores the need for localized approaches. Punjab, bearing the highest burden, must enhance awareness efforts, especially in urban centers. Sindh has shown slight progress, though Karachi and Hyderabad remain critical areas. Meanwhile, Islamabad’s decline in new cases—from 611 in 2023 to 378 in 2024—serves as a model for nationwide replication.
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Public health specialists urge the government to expand preventive efforts, including condom distribution, access to clean needles, and harm-reduction programs, while addressing stigma and social barriers. With over 1,000 new monthly cases, Pakistan faces the looming threat of a generalized HIV epidemic, necessitating urgent, comprehensive public health measures.
