Pakistan faces pediatric health challenges in HIV and cancer care

Pakistan is facing significant pediatric health challenges, ranging from rising HIV infections to efforts to improve childhood cancer survival rates. In Karachi, a surge in new HIV infections among children has prompted calls for a complete overhaul of infection control protocols. Investigations suggest that unsafe medical practices, specifically lapses in sterilization and the reuse of needles and syringes, are the primary drivers of these infections.

Simultaneously, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working with Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination to enhance childhood cancer care. With over 8,000 children diagnosed with cancer annually in Pakistan, the WHO is facilitating access to quality-assured medicines through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines. Four Pakistani hospitals are currently preparing to receive free medicines by late 2026 or early 2027, with seven more expected to follow in 2027. This initiative aims to address the low survival rates in low- and middle-income countries compared to high-income nations.