Punjab Accused of Withholding HIV Data as 84,000 Cases Reported Nationwide
Punjab Accused of Withholding HIV Data as 84,000 Cases Reported Nationwide
Nadeem Tanoli
Islamabad: A serious transparency crisis has surfaced in Pakistan’s public health system after allegations that the Government of Punjab is not fully sharing HIV data with federal authorities, raising concerns that incomplete reporting could undermine disease control efforts despite expanded testing and surveillance.
During a high level briefing, Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal disclosed that Pakistan has significantly expanded its HIV response, increasing screening from 37,944 tests to more than 374,000 and treatment centers from 49 to 97. However, gaps in provincial data, particularly from Punjab, are preventing a clear national picture from emerging.
The controversy intensified when journalists directly questioned the minister, claiming that Punjab’s reporting to the National Institute of Health remains incomplete, with instances of “nil” entries in surveillance systems. The allegation suggests that critical epidemiological data may not be reaching central databases, limiting the ability of health experts to track and respond to the disease effectively.
The minister did not deny the issue and acknowledged that data is not coming from all areas. He also admitted coordination gaps between provincial and federal systems, stressing that without real time and transparent data sharing, public health responses, including prevention, screening and treatment, cannot function effectively.
Pakistan currently has 84,000 registered HIV cases, with around 61,000 patients receiving treatment, while approximately 24,000 individuals are missing from follow up care. Experts warn that incomplete provincial reporting could mean the real scale of the epidemic remains hidden, especially when estimates suggest that as many as 369,000 cases may exist nationwide.
Although the minister maintained that there is no deliberate attempt to hide data, the absence of a unified national dashboard and inconsistent provincial reporting have intensified calls for reform. Health authorities admitted that the current system depends too heavily on fragmented inputs rather than a structured and enforceable data sharing mechanism.
The federal ministry has pledged to address the issue, stating that efforts are underway to ensure that complete data from all provinces, including Punjab, is integrated into the national system. Officials stressed that transparency is essential not only for policy making but also for maintaining credibility with international partners and ensuring effective use of health resources.
