Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of National Health Services has revealed alarming figures regarding the growing burden of mental health disorders, hepatitis and HIV/AIDS in Pakistan, presenting detailed statistics before the National Assembly.
According to the report, approximately 32.4 million people in Pakistan are suffering from mental health disorders, while 12.9 million are affected by hepatitis B or C. The number of people living with HIV has reportedly exceeded 417,000.
Mental Health Crisis
The report revealed that the number of people suffering from mental health disorders increased from 30 million in 2019 to 32.4 million in 2023, registering an increase of 2.4 million over five years.
In Islamabad alone, more than 300,000 people are reportedly suffering from mental health disorders.
Pakistan is also facing a severe shortage of mental health professionals, with only 1,050 psychiatrists registered nationwide. This means there is approximately one psychiatrist for every 245,000 people.
According to the document, Punjab has 406 registered psychiatrists, Sindh 228, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 122 and Balochistan 44.
Hepatitis Cases Reach 12.9 Million
The Ministry’s report further disclosed that Pakistan ranks among the countries with the highest hepatitis C burden globally.
According to World Health Organization estimates cited in the report, approximately nine million people in Pakistan are living with hepatitis C, while more than 3.86 million are infected with hepatitis B.
Combined, the number of people affected by hepatitis B and C stands at approximately 12.9 million.
The report stated that around 48,000 people die annually from hepatitis-related causes in Pakistan. More than 88,000 new hepatitis C infections were also reported in 2024.
HIV/AIDS Cases on the Rise
The Ministry informed the National Assembly that more than 417,000 people are estimated to be living with HIV in Pakistan.
However, only 92,148 affected individuals are registered, while 67,878 people are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
The report highlighted a significant increase in annual HIV cases, rising from approximately 16,000 in 2010 to 48,000 in 2024.
HIV screening has also increased substantially, with the number of people screened rising from 37,944 in 2020 to approximately 374,000 in 2025.
Nearly 3,900 Children Registered with HIV
The report also revealed that 3,900 children were registered as HIV-positive between January 2025 and June 2026.
Sindh recorded the highest number of affected children, with 1,915 cases, followed by Punjab with 1,765.
The provincial breakdown showed 139 cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 46 in Balochistan. Islamabad reported 30 cases, while four children were registered in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and one in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The figures highlight the mounting challenges facing Pakistan’s healthcare system, particularly the need for improved disease prevention, early diagnosis, treatment facilities and greater access to mental health services.
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