Registered HIV/AIDS Patients in Balochistan Rise to 3,303, Including 707 Women and 90 Transgenders; 452 Deaths Reported in One Year

Quetta — **The number of registered HIV/AIDS patients in Balochistan has reached 3,303**, including 707 women and 90 transgender individuals, while 452 patients died over the past year, health officials revealed on Sunday. The announcement was made during a press conference at Quetta Press Club by **Dr. Hashim Mengal, Director of Health Services, and Dr. Sehrin Nosherwani, Provincial Coordinator of the AIDS Control Program**, alongside Dr. Khudaidad Usmani, Dr. Ehsanullah, and Muhammad Khan Zahri.

Officials highlighted that **World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1** to raise awareness about this deadly disease and to honor those who have lost their lives to it. The 2025 theme focuses on “Ending Disruption and Transforming the AIDS Response.” They explained that HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the immune system, which can eventually lead to AIDS, leaving the body vulnerable to severe and life-threatening infections.

Dr. Nosherwani outlined the main transmission routes of HIV:

1. **Blood transfusions** with untested blood, shared syringes, contaminated surgical or barber instruments, and dental procedures.
2. **Mother-to-child transmission** during pregnancy or childbirth.
3. **Unprotected sexual contact** with an HIV-positive person.

Injection drug users and male-to-male sexual contact, including with transgender individuals, are major contributors to new cases in Balochistan.

The number of registered patients has increased from **2,851 in 2024 to 3,303 in 2025**, marking a rise of 452 cases in one year. Male patients increased from 2,075 to 2,362, while female patients rose from 600 to 707. **Quetta has the highest number of patients at 2,614**, followed by Turbat (368), Hub (159), Naseerabad (66), and Loralai (96).

Provincial health authorities have provided **free screening tests at all government hospitals** and established **AIDS therapy centers in six districts, including Quetta and Turbat**, offering free treatment and care for patients. Officials stressed the importance of raising public awareness about HIV/AIDS to curb the disease’s spread and called on the community to actively participate in prevention efforts across the province.