Pakistan Enforces Mandatory HIV and Hepatitis Screening Before Surgeries
In a decisive move to combat the rising spread of HIV and Hepatitis B & C, Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) has announced that screening tests are now mandatory before all surgical and invasive medical procedures.
The directive, issued by Federal Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, requires hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country to adopt strict infection prevention and control protocols. This includes both major and minor surgeries, as well as any medical procedure involving the insertion of surgical instruments into the body.
Under the new policy, hospitals must conduct:
- HIV 1 & 2 Antibody Test (Rapid/ELISA)
- Hepatitis B Screening (HBsAg)
- Hepatitis C Screening (Anti-HCV)
The ministry has instructed provincial governments, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan authorities to ensure immediate compliance. Emergency letters have been dispatched to provincial chief secretaries, federally administered hospitals, District Health Officers (DHOs), and the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA).
Healthcare facilities are also tasked with providing counselling and guidance to individuals who test positive, ensuring patients receive proper medical advice and support.
Officials stress that this measure is critical to curbing infection risks during surgeries, protecting both patients and healthcare workers. With Pakistan facing a growing burden of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV infections, the mandatory screening policy marks a significant step toward strengthening public health safeguards.
This nationwide initiative underscores the government’s commitment to infection control, patient safety, and proactive healthcare regulation, aiming to reduce transmission risks and improve surgical outcomes across the country.
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