ISLAMABAD:
Parliamentary Secretary for Health Nelson Azeem on Monday told the National Assembly that 84,421 cases of HIV have been recorded in the country and all diagnosed patients are receiving treatment according to established medical protocols.
During question time, Azeem said that dialysis patients are treated using separate machines to prevent cross-infection. Once diagnosed at any center, patients receive appropriate treatment and healthcare services are available in hospitals across the country.
He noted that Punjab reported the highest number of HIV cases due to its more robust tracking, testing and diagnosis system, followed by Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad.
He emphasized that while the government provides treatment, prevention requires collective efforts from the public and healthcare providers. Unsafe blood transfusions and unregulated medical practices are important causes of HIV transmission, highlighting the need for strict safety measures.
He said awareness campaigns have been launched in hospitals, clinics and among healthcare workers, while laboratories are being monitored to ensure proper blood tests. The focus is on early diagnosis and timely treatment to improve patients’ quality of life.
Azeem also highlighted the support of international donor agencies, stating that all initiatives followed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and are regularly audited to ensure transparency and effectiveness.
The National Assembly also offered Fateha for former President of Iran Dr. Ali Larijani and other martyrs during the ongoing war in the Gulf countries.
The lower house, which met under the chairmanship of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, also offered prayers for Senator Sherry Rehman’s daughter and Malik Niaz Ahmed Jhakkar, father of MNA Owais Haider Jhakkar. MNA Hafiz Nauman led the collective prayers.
Expressing grief, President Sadiq recalled his personal relationship with Dr. Larijani, who served as Iran’s national security chief and was martyred on March 17 during an Israeli attack on a residential block on the eastern outskirts of Tehran.
According to the speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Ali Larijani was a victim of Israeli aggression.
During question hour, legislators harshly criticized the actions of the Ministry of Health. Sadiq expressed grave displeasure over the ministry’s failure to respond to five questions and said negligence in such a critical sector was unacceptable.
He sought an explanation from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, who said efforts were being made to coordinate with relevant ministries to resolve the issue. Subsequently, the president summoned the Federal Secretary of Health to appear immediately in his office.
Several bills were also introduced in the session, including the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Financial Institutional Reforms Bill, 2025. (WITH APPLICATION INPUTS)
