Ministry of National Health Services is at the forefront to mobilizing resources and advocating for the cause of prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. In doing so the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) has made tremendous advancement towards reducing the risk of HIV and AIDS. The noteworthy achievements include the availability of free of cost testing services for the communities. NACP ensures that people receive a better HIV/AIDS management response. A similar outstanding effort includes the increase of registered people with National AIDS Control Programme from 4,500 in 2013 to 25,220 in 2018. Ministry of National Health Services continues to strive to make bold efforts in accelerating progress towards epidemic control. The MoNHSR&C and NACP have engaged in various collaborations between the Provincial Governments and International organizations. NACP has formulated various strategic plans and an enabling environment for testing of people for HIV/AIDS. This also includes provision and adherence of treatment services to combat the pandemic of HIV/AIDS. NACP leads in implementation of initiatives that help save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS. NACP is committed to achieving universal access to Antiretroviral Therapy(ARVs) to benefit people in Pakistan. NACP is devoted to ensure that anyone who is at risk from HIV infection is prevented through awareness programs and those who are already affected have access to health centers and treatment services without discrimination and stigma. Despite efforts byNACP to indulge in implementing evidence-based, targeted prevention interventions among key population groups, new infections have increased in the recent years. Pakistan now faces a concentrated epidemic because of the injecting drug users with HIV prevalence of HIV/AIDS (statistics/ information can be put here). Similarly other high risk groups / communities such as men who have sex with (MSM), Female Sex Workers and Hijra Sex Workers (HSWs) appear to have reached the threshold level. These communities upon interaction with the bridging population can spread HIV/AIDS rapidly to the rest of the population. The National AIDS Control Programme has worked tirelessly to engage communities such as the Female Sex Workers (FSWs), Male Sex Workers (MSWs) and Trans-genders through their community based organizations. In this instance a historic high was achieved when 17 Community Based Organizations were taken onboard by the National AIDS Control Programme. These efforts will enable to reach the people who are part of the bridging population between the general population and the affected communities. It is imperative that these people be reached otherwise the consequences can be catastrophic. Behavioral, biological and case based surveillance needs to be done to prevent increase of HIV among vulnerable groups. The stigma associated with HIV/AIDS is incomparable. People suffering from HIV/AIDS receive contempt from the society. Moreover, barriers such as foul treatment of Female Sex Workers (FSWs) by police have remained major impediments to open access to information and services. This behavior discourages communities such as Female Sex Workers from expressing their problems voluntarily. This discrimination is a crucial deterring factor in fighting against HIV/AIDS. NACP works hard to provide more avenues and a better support to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. However the sole support of the Government will not suffice to prevent HIV/AIDS, all and everybody must engage in preventing HIV/AIDS. Combined efforts on behalf of opinion, religious, political leaders and teachers; all can play a vital role in creating awareness about HIV/AIDS and improving the lives of key populations in Pakistan. Young population especially people in their early twenties tend to be prone to HIV/AIDS; it is essential that the youth of the nation is educated and made aware of HIV/AIDS. Students can be the agents of change and help in initiating discourse on HIV/AIDS. These small interventions can make a huge difference in battling against HIV/AIDS.
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