HIV/AIDS: State & Society – Denial vs Reality
Pakistan is facing a troubling rise in HIV/AIDS cases, including among children – yet denial, stigma and weak systems continue to obscure the scale of the crisis. Limited public funding, heavy reliance on external aid and gaps in healthcare governance further complicate the response, with alarming evidence that unsafe medical practices are contributing to the spread.
But this is not only a medical issue, it is a societal one. No epidemic can be contained without awareness, responsibility and collective action.
This session examines the gap between denial and reality, the role of misinformation and stigma, and the shared responsibility of the state, healthcare systems and citizens in prevention, care and dignity for those affected.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Zafar Mirza is a leading public health expert with extensive experience in national and global health systems. He served as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health and Minister of State (2019–2020), and previously held a senior leadership role at the World Health Organization’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office. His work focuses on health system strengthening, universal health coverage, and public health policy.
This session is free and open to all. Just visit the venue to attend it.
The Black Hole
Plot 5H, Street 100, G-11/3, Islamabad.
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