PROVINCE REPORT
PESHAWAR: Provincial Minister for Health Khaleeq ur Rehman has reaffirmed the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s unwavering commitment to strengthening HIV prevention, expanding access to quality healthcare services, and eliminating stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. He expressed these views while addressing an HIV related advocacy event on legislation organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women.
Director General Health Services Dr. Shaheen Afridi, former Member Provincial Assembly Sumera Shams, several former women Members of the Provincial Assembly, representatives of development partners, senior officials, healthcare professionals, and members of civil society also attended the event.
Addressing the participants, the Provincial Health Minister said that HIV is a disease, not a stigma, and every individual living with HIV deserves dignity, respect, timely diagnosis, uninterrupted treatment, and equal access to quality healthcare services. He stressed that awareness, early diagnosis, and timely treatment are essential to controlling the spread of HIV and improving health outcomes across the province.
The Minister shared that 10,655 people are currently registered as living with HIV in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while an estimated 39,000 people may be living with the infection. He informed the audience that the registered cases include 7,721 males, 2,684 females, and 250 transgender persons, highlighting the need for inclusive healthcare services for all segments of society.
Khaleeq ur Rehman stated that the provincial government is implementing comprehensive measures under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Policy 2026 to strengthen HIV prevention and control. These measures include expanding screening services, ensuring the uninterrupted availability of antiretroviral medicines, improving laboratory facilities, strengthening disease surveillance, integrating HIV services with other public health programmes, and enhancing the capacity of healthcare professionals.
During the event, officials from Blue Veins delivered a detailed presentation on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa HIV and AIDS Bill, 2019, highlighting its key provisions aimed at protecting the rights of people living with HIV, preventing discrimination, safeguarding confidentiality, and strengthening the legal framework for HIV prevention and treatment in the province.
The Minister appreciated the valuable contributions of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women, Blue Veins, development partners, civil society organizations, and healthcare workers for their continued support in promoting awareness, protecting vulnerable populations, and improving service delivery across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He emphasized that stigma, misinformation, and discrimination remain among the biggest obstacles in the fight against HIV. The government, he said, is committed to ensuring a healthcare system where every individual can seek testing and treatment without fear or discrimination. He further stated that the government will continue strengthening policies that protect confidentiality, ensure blood safety, promote preventive measures, and guarantee equitable access to healthcare for all citizens.
The Provincial Health Minister reiterated that the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will continue working closely with development partners, healthcare professionals, civil society organizations, and communities to build an inclusive, resilient, and people-centred healthcare system, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV.
