Officials say reported figures reflect cumulative data over months, not a sudden outbreak.
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of National Health Services Pakistan has rejected media reports suggesting a sharp rise in HIV cases in the federal capital, clarifying that there is no evidence of an outbreak in Islamabad.
In an official statement, the ministry’s Common Management Unit (CMU) for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria said that the figures cited in recent reports represent the total number of new patients registered over a 15-month period at healthcare facilities in Islamabad. Officials stressed that interpreting these numbers as a sudden surge or epidemic is inaccurate.
According to the statement, monthly data shows that the number of HIV cases being registered in Islamabad has remained within a normal range, with no unusual spike. Minor fluctuations in patient numbers are considered routine and can be attributed to improved awareness, increased testing, and better access to treatment facilities.
Health authorities noted that greater public awareness about HIV has encouraged more individuals to seek testing and medical care. As a result, higher registration figures should be viewed as a positive indicator of improved healthcare outreach rather than evidence of widespread transmission.
The statement also highlighted that major public hospitals such as Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and Poly Clinic Hospital serve patients not only from Islamabad but also from surrounding regions. Of the 618 patients registered, only 210 were residents of Islamabad, while the remaining cases were from other cities.
Officials further explained that HIV prevalence in Pakistan is largely concentrated within specific high-risk groups, including intravenous drug users and certain vulnerable populations. They emphasized that increased case detection reflects improved screening and diagnostic efforts.
The ministry reassured the public that, based on available data, there is no indication of a sudden spread or epidemic situation in Islamabad. Authorities urged citizens to rely on verified information and continue practicing preventive health measures.
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