Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said that the claim that there are 300,000 HIV patients in Pakistan has been made on the basis of assumptions.
During a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Health, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that 25 percent of the Global Fund is being given to the government and 75 percent to NGOs.
He said that it has been stated on the basis of assumptions that there are three hundred thousand HIV patients in Pakistan, and that more cases will be found.
Mustafa Kamal also said that 90 percent of people are being deported on medical grounds, and those being deported will be screened under border health services. In Sindh, children were found to be infected at one location because incorrect syringes were used on them.
In addition, the DG Health also gave a briefing at the meeting, upon which Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal reprimanded him and said that he should answer what is being asked, avoid irrelevant talk, and provide only Islamabad’s data.
According to the committee chairman, the PMDC had said that vacant seats would be filled mandatorily, to which the Registrar PMDC said that the deadline had been extended until March 31 and that the seats are expected to be filled.
In this regard, the Health Minister further said that there is a large mafia within the Nursing Council, and that the court issued a stay order without hearing them. He added that they are exploring all procedures and will hold an in camera session on the matter.
