AIDS: Punjab Government’s Strategy, action and facts

Every year, when the United Nations headquarters in New York glows with the iconic red ribbon on 1st December, it sends a silent yet profound message to the world: the battle against AIDS is far from over. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people living with HIV has crossed 40 million, and just last year alone, 650,000 lives were lost to the disease. Despite the global community’s pledge to end AIDS by 2030, the current pace makes that target appear more aspirational than achievable.

In Pakistan, the National AIDS Control Program reports that by 2025, over 53,000 cases had been registered. Shockingly, fewer than 33,000 individuals are receiving treatment. This means thousands continue to live with the virus often unknowingly and risk transmitting it to others. This silent spread is precisely what has alarmed international health agencies.

Punjab, however, stands out for taking decisive action. Across 45 specialized centre,s, free medicines, PCR testing, CD4 count analysis, and expert counseling are being provided. But the most significant achievement is the comprehensive system developed under the Punjab AIDS Control Program, an approach that sets the province apart from the rest of the country.

The program’s vision extends far beyond treatment. Its core mission is to prevent new infections, identify high-risk areas and vulnerable populations, and create a social environment where HIV-positive individuals can seek care without fear or stigma. The program focuses particularly on Injecting Drug Users, Female Sex Workers, the Transgender community and other high-risk groups. Initiatives such as prison screening, roadside testing for truck drivers, free vaccination services and integrated hepatitis treatment represent unprecedented measures at this scale in Punjab’s history.

One of Punjab’s most groundbreaking achievements is the establishment of Pakistan’s first BSL-3 laboratory capable not only of HIV diagnosis but also advanced gene-resistance testing. This cutting-edge scientific capacity enables the province to manage HIV according to global standards. Similarly, the creation of the country’s first Transgender Health Clinic at Fountain House is a landmark step that has provided a long-neglected community dignified access to healthcare.

Under the Punjab AIDS Control Program, authorities have also cracked down on fake medical practitioners, conducted large-scale operations to eliminate the reuse of syringes and implemented modern protocols for hospital waste management. These interventions have significantly strengthened the province’s resilience against the spread of HIV.

The most encouraging news, however, comes from modern medical research: if treatment begins within 72 hours, the virus’s progression can be halted almost entirely. A patient who regularly takes antiretroviral medicines can live a normal, healthy life and the risk of transmitting the virus to another person becomes nearly negligible. This represents a powerful beacon of hope one that can pull patients back toward life, dignity and confidence.

Punjab’s efforts have provided both direction and a practical model in the struggle against AIDS. Free medicines, advanced laboratories, targeted services for the transgender community, widespread screening in prisons and high-risk groups, and strict action against syringe reuse have not only curbed the virus’s spread but also fostered a safer and more respectful social environment for patients.

For anyone living with HIV or even suspecting it, the message is simple and urgent: seek care immediately at a certified centre and begin regular treatment. Timely therapy can save your life and it can protect countless others as well.