Pakistan Makes HIV and Hepatitis Screening Mandatory Before Surgeries
Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has made HIV and Hepatitis B and C screening compulsory before all surgical and invasive medical procedures across the country.
The decision has been introduced as part of new infection prevention and control measures aimed at reducing the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings.
According to an official notification, Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal took notice of the growing number of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV cases reported nationwide.
Under the new policy, all public and private hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities will be required to follow strict safety and preventive protocols before carrying out surgeries or invasive medical procedures.
The federal ministry has also directed provincial governments, along with authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, to ensure immediate implementation of the screening measures.
As part of the guidelines, healthcare facilities must conduct:
- HIV 1 and 2 Antibody Tests through Rapid or ELISA methods
- Hepatitis B screening through HBsAg tests
- Hepatitis C screening through Anti-HCV tests
The screening requirement will apply to both major and minor surgeries, as well as any medical procedure involving surgical instruments entering the body.
Officials also stated that hospitals and healthcare centers will be responsible for providing counseling and medical guidance to patients who test positive for HIV or hepatitis infections.
Implementation notices have reportedly been sent to provincial chief secretaries, federally administered hospitals, district health offices, and the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority to ensure compliance with the new directives.
