Pakistan Moves to Make Pre-Surgery HIV Screening Mandatory Nationwide

ISLAMABAD: (Staff Reporter) – The federal government has decided to make HIV screening mandatory before surgical procedures across Pakistan amid concerns over the spread of HIV, according to reports.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the HIV Joint Working Group, chaired by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and attended by senior health officials as well as representatives of the WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNDP and the Global Fund.

Provinces directed to implement screening

The health minister instructed provincial authorities to ensure HIV screening is carried out before surgical and other relevant medical procedures.

He also called for stronger infection-control measures at healthcare facilities to minimise the risk of HIV transmission.

Mustafa Kamal said pre-surgical HIV screening is already being conducted in Punjab, Sindh and Islamabad.

Authorities in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan were directed to issue the necessary notifications to implement the screening requirement in their respective regions.

Meeting reviews HIV prevention measures

The meeting also examined several areas linked to HIV prevention and monitoring, including disease surveillance, viral-load testing, blood and injection safety, infection prevention and control, digital health data systems and border screening.

Officials stressed the importance of improving monitoring mechanisms and strengthening safety standards within healthcare facilities.

Focus on children living with HIV

The health minister emphasised that children living with HIV require support beyond medical treatment.

He said they should also receive appropriate nutritional, psychological and social welfare assistance to improve their overall wellbeing.

Major General (retd) Azhar Mahmood Kayani called for Punjab’s HIV-related data to be integrated with the National HIV Management Information System.

He said linking the datasets would allow authorities to monitor developments more efficiently and respond to emerging trends in a timely manner.

Govt vows stronger HIV response

Mustafa Kamal described HIV as a preventable disease and said the prime minister remains committed to strengthening efforts against its spread.

He urged all relevant stakeholders to intensify preventive measures and work together to improve HIV awareness, screening and treatment.

A comprehensive report covering progress on the directives issued during the meeting will be presented at the next meeting of the HIV Joint Working Group.