The government has ordered a fresh nationwide survey to assess the rise in HIV cases across Pakistan, following a recently released report by the UNDP and World Health Organisation (WHO) highlighting growing concerns over the spread of the disease.
State Minister for National Health Services Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath informed the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services on Tuesday that the survey will target transgender persons, drug users, hospitals, and other high-risk groups. The survey is expected to be completed by mid-December.
The committee, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, expressed serious concern over the WHO and UNDP findings and urged authorities to take concrete measures.
Dr. Bharath assured lawmakers that the government was already monitoring the situation closely.
At the start of the meeting, members paid tribute to the late Senator Irfan-ul-Haque Siddiqui for his parliamentary services and legislative contributions.
The committee also deferred two Private Members’ Bills, The Mental Health (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
A detailed briefing was presented on administrative issues between the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and the School of Dentistry (SOD), Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU).
Officials noted that while PIMS functions under the health ministry, SZABMU claims autonomous status, creating administrative overlap despite the PIMS Act 2023.
The principal of SOD said the joint-venture institution has 500 students, 164 staff members, and 126 operational dental chairs, adding that maxillofacial surgery services are provided by PIMS.
On Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan’s recommendation, the committee referred the matter to the Law Division for clarity on Section 6(3) of the PIMS Act 2023. She stressed harmonising legal provisions to create a workable administrative framework.
The chairman directed all departments to submit possible solutions before the next meeting.
Senator Anusha Rahman also highlighted issues faced by postgraduate doctors, including delays in educational certificate attestation and being asked to sit for irrelevant examinations.