KARACHI: The number of children testing positive for HIV with connections to Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital has increased, with two more girls confirmed to be infected.
A father shared that after his two sons and nine-year-old daughter contracted HIV, he discovered that his 12-year-old and three-year-old sons also tested positive following treatment at Valika Hospital. “My daughter, who is nine, was also under treatment for a chest infection at the hospital,” he explained. “All three children have now been diagnosed with HIV.”
In another case, a three-year-old girl from Metroville tested positive after treatment at Valika Hospital. Her family noted that she had been frequently unwell, and her recent tests confirmed the infection.
Earlier, Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani confirmed that at least 78 children had contracted HIV at Valika Hospital, a facility operated by the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) in Karachi’s SITE area.
Furthermore, reports indicate that over 100 children from the Pathan Colony neighborhood have tested positive over the past nine months, raising serious concerns about infection prevention and healthcare safety standards.
An investigation report obtained by media person revealed that the outbreak was caused by the repeated reuse of disposable syringes. Specifically, a 10cc syringe was used multiple times on different newborns, facilitating the spread of HIV among young patients. An inquiry into the matter is currently ongoing.
In response, the federal government plans to initiate a comprehensive HIV testing campaign in Karachi’s Pathan Colony. The Sindh AIDS Control Programme will carry out testing at Valika Hospital and the affected area, with assistance from the federal government, which will provide 50,000 HIV testing kits for this initiative.
