PESHAWAR (Lord Media): The number of HIV patients in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is steadily increasing, while the availability of treatment and diagnostic facilities has not kept pace. The province now has 8,567 registered HIV patients, with the highest cases reported in Peshawar, Bannu, Mardan, Charsadda, and the merged districts.
There are only 13 government centers across the province for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Due to limited treatment centers, patients from remote areas face long journeys, additional expenses, and delays in timely treatment.
A social worker involved in healthcare emphasized the need to expand treatment facilities and raise public awareness. Experts assert that to control diseases like HIV, medication alone is insufficient. Timely diagnosis, easy access to treatment, public awareness, and consistent funding are essential. Otherwise, the increasing number of patients could pose a significant challenge to the province’s healthcare system.
