Pakistan to Ban 10cc Syringes After HIV Outbreak Concerns
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Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has said the government is preparing to ban 10cc syringes across the country while rejecting reports of an HIV epidemic.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Kamal said the government is taking steps to ensure that any syringe used once cannot be reused. He said the decision follows evidence linking HIV infections, particularly among children in Islamabad, Taunsa, and Karachi, to the reuse of syringes.
The minister added that 3cc syringes have already been banned, and 10cc syringes will also be phased out as part of efforts to prevent unsafe medical practices.
Kamal also rejected reports of an HIV epidemic in Pakistan, saying the rise in reported cases is due to expanded screening rather than an outbreak. He said there is no unusual increase in HIV cases in the country.
According to him, Pakistan had 49 HIV screening centers in 2020, where 37,944 people were tested, and 6,910 cases were identified. By 2025, the number of centers increased to 97, with 374,126 screenings conducted and 14,182 cases reported.
He said Pakistan currently has 84,000 registered HIV cases, out of which 61,000 patients are receiving treatment.
Kamal said HIV is treatable and no longer an untreatable disease. However, HIV medication is not available in the open market and can only be accessed through government-designated centers. He added that patients who take their medication regularly do not transmit the virus further.
He also said new treatments are being introduced that may only need to be taken once every six months or once a year, compared to earlier treatments that required daily medication for life.
The minister denied reports of new HIV outbreaks in Islamabad and Taunsa. He said no new cases have been reported in either city this year and clarified that the cases being discussed in Taunsa relate to 2024, not 2026.
He said Islamabad has a total of 618 registered HIV cases, including 210 from the city and 408 from outside, with no recent increase reported.
