ISLAMABAD: A national taskforce constituted on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to investigate alleged mishandling of HIV related issues in Pakistan has concluded its deliberations and is expected to submit its final recommendations to the prime minister within a week, officials said on Thursday.
The third and likely final meeting of the taskforce was held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath and co-chairperson Major General (retd) Dr Azhar Mahmood Kayani, with participation from federal and provincial health authorities, technical experts and key stakeholders.
Senior officials including the additional secretary health, Chief Executive Officer of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Dr. Obaidullah, and vice chancellor of the Health Services Academy Dr. Shahzad Ali also attended the session.
According to officials familiar with the proceedings, the taskforce discussed factors contributing to HIV cases surge in Pakistan.
The meeting reviewed concerns regarding institutional functioning and effectiveness, and the enforcement of laws governing disposable and autodisable syringes.
The taskforce also decided that a draft National Public Health Law would be shared with all members for consensus building. The proposed law is expected to focus on strengthening disease surveillance, mandatory reporting, outbreak response coordination and data sharing mechanisms across the country.
