ISLAMABAD: The Health Services Academy (HSA), through ORIC-HSA, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National AIDS Control Program / Common Management Unit (NACP/CMU), held a comprehensive panel discussion on December 1 to mark World AIDS Day 2025. The session focused on strengthening Pakistan’s HIV response through coordinated strategies, clinical integration and evidence-based policymaking.
The discussion was moderated by Dr. Sami ur Rahman of CMU, while the question-and-answer segment was conducted by Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Ahmed Abdullah of HSA. A distinguished panel of experts participated in the session, including Prof. Dr. Rizwan Qazi from Islamabad Medical & Dental College, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mujeeb, Head of Infectious Diseases at Rawalpindi Medical University, Prof. Dr. Naseem, Head of Infectious Diseases at PIMS, and Dr. Malik Muhammad Umair from the National AIDS Control Program.
The panel highlighted the urgent need for stronger integration between public health and clinical services, especially within HIV programs, to ensure timely diagnosis, effective care and improved treatment outcomes. Experts also emphasized the importance of reinforcing Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices across healthcare facilities to prevent healthcare-associated transmission and protect patient safety.
Participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing a coordinated, evidence-based and people-centered approach to end AIDS as a public health threat in Pakistan. The event concluded with a call for continued collaboration between institutions, policymakers and frontline health professionals to accelerate progress towards national HIV targets.
