Taunsa AIDS outbreak: CM Punjab orders free treatment for children

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz taking notice of the AIDS outbreak in Taunsa Sharif has directed free treatment of all affected children.

More than 100 people, mostly children have been affected by HIV AIDS in Taunsa Sharif, according to the latest screening done in the area.

According to medical experts, the primary cause of HIV/AIDS transmission is the reuse of syringes.

Dera Ghazi Khan Deputy Commissioner Usman Khalid said that only one case of HIV was registered in Taunsa in December 2024. After the screening process was initiated, it was discovered that more than 100 people are affected by HIV.

The DC mentioned that the majority of those affected are children. However, an investigative committee has been formed to determine the cause of the spread.

Chief Minister Punjab, taking notice of the outbreak, chaired a meeting to review the causes of the alleged spread of AIDS in Taunsa. She directed authorities to prepare an operational plan to control the outbreak.

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A joint mission comprising UNICEF, WHO, and the Punjab Health Department has been formed to address the crisis.

The mission will conduct a historical tracing of affected children from April 7 to 14 and present recommendations for AIDS prevention and control. Household screening will also be carried out in the affected areas.

Treatment centres for AIDS patients will be established at Taunsa Headquarters Hospital and other medical centres.

 Maryam Nawaz instructed that all affected children must receive free treatment, emphasising that no negligence in their care will be tolerated.

She also ordered an inquiry into the causes of the outbreak and directed authorities to identify those responsible.

To prevent further spread, she stressed the need for effective measures to protect high-risk populations from AIDS.

Last year in November, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz suspended the Medical Superintendent (MS) along with doctors and the head nurse after reports of HIV spreading during dialysis at Nishtar Hospital, Multan.