On World Aids Day, PM Shehbaz reaffirms govt's commitment to strengthen health system

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for urgent steps to remove the stigma surrounding AIDS and to put an end to the discrimination faced by those living with the disease.

In his message on World AIDS Day, the premier highlighted the importance of making treatment widely accessible, adopting modern healthcare practices, and involving communities to change how HIV/AIDS is perceived by the public.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, he said that Pakistan stands “firmly alongside the international community in its commitment to addressing major public health challenges such as AIDS and ensuring protection for all against this disease.”

He emphasized that the federal government, working together with provincial authorities, is determined to ensure that local initiatives deliver tangible results.

PM Shehbaz stressed that safeguarding health is a fundamental right, adding that the government is committed to providing equal opportunities for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care for all citizens.

This year, World AIDS Day is observed under the theme “Overcoming Barriers and Changing the Attitude Towards AIDS,” which he noted underscores the need to meet new challenges with renewed dedication.

He observed that the HIV epidemic has tested healthcare systems globally and reinforced the need for comprehensive strategies to combat the disease while also strengthening healthcare infrastructure.

Changing public attitudes toward HIV, he said, is a key part of this effort. “While governments work to make healthcare more efficient and accessible, it is equally crucial to listen to the voices of those living with HIV,” he remarked.

PM Shehbaz also highlighted the role of compassion, innovation, and sustained investment in health services in expanding and diversifying the response to HIV.

While acknowledging progress in AIDS treatment over the years, he stressed that much work remains in improving diagnosis, treatment availability, and public awareness. “These challenges can only be addressed together, with empathy and resolve,” he added.

PM Shehbaz concluded by reaffirming the government’s priorities in tackling AIDS: increasing treatment access, eliminating discrimination, and preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to child.