The number of new HIV patients has increased by 331 in the past seven months, with many coming from Rawalpindi and other cities in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and even Azad Kashmir, according to officials who spoke about the situation in Islamabad.
The National AIDS Control Programme informed that Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Gujrat, Lahore, Gujranwala, Narowal, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Minwali, Sargodha Kotli, Bagh, and Ponch reported the highest number of HIV patients.
Because of the shame and discrimination associated with HIV, many people avoid getting treatment where they live
According to the NACP representative, many people from the country travel to Islamabad and other big cities such as Lahore and Karachi to receive medical care.
According to The News’ compilation of monthly patient data, around 46 new patients tested positive for HIV in October 2022, 48 in November, 40 in December, 40 in January 2023, 72 in February, 44 in March, and 35 in April 2023.
Although the National Aids Control Programme claims that the Federal Government Poly Clinic’s HIV treatment and diagnostic centre was opened in response to demand from the PIMS facility, the clinic’s limited patient volume suggests otherwise.
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