Lead

The Sindh government has approved a 2 billion-rupee endowment fund to provide long-term medical treatment and welfare support for children affected by an HIV outbreak at a government-run hospital in Karachi, as the number of confirmed pediatric infections continues to rise.

Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani, who chairs the governing body of the Sindh Employees' Social Security Institution (SESSI), announced the fund after a meeting on Wednesday. The endowment fund, unanimously approved by the governing body, is intended to ensure the affected children receive the highest standard of medical care and to finance welfare initiatives for them and their families, according to a statement released after the meeting.

The decision comes as the provincial ombudsman was informed that 16 more children had been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS at the SESSI-run Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital in Karachi's SITE area, bringing the total number of infected children to 94. This figure exceeds the 78 cases previously confirmed by the provincial government.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the outbreak has focused on different aspects of the crisis. Al Jazeera, in its coverage, emphasized the broader context of Pakistan's HIV epidemic, attributing the outbreak to poor infection prevention and control protocols and describing it as a "systemic problem" within the healthcare system. The outlet highlighted that at least 130 people, most of them children, had tested HIV-positive in connection with the outbreak, and noted the private sector's role in the epidemic.

Dawn, Pakistan's leading English-language daily, provided detailed coverage of the government's response and the investigative findings. Dawn reported that more than 10,500 people were screened in and around the hospital, with 120 testing positive for HIV. A separate screening drive at another SESSI facility in Landhi identified 10 additional cases among 2,000 people tested. Dawn also covered the Sindh Healthcare Commission's inspection, which found that needles were manually removed from syringes after use and were not disposed of in sharps bins, raising serious concerns about the hospital's medical waste management practices.

Key Claims

  • At least 130 people, most of them children, have tested HIV-positive in connection with the outbreak at the government-run Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital in Karachi, as reported by multiple sources.
  • More than 10,500 residents were screened in and around the hospital, with 120 testing positive for HIV, according to Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani.
  • A separate screening drive at another SESSI facility in Karachi's Landhi area identified 10 additional HIV cases.
  • The Sindh government has approved a 2 billion-rupee endowment fund for the long-term care of affected children, announced following a SESSI governing body meeting chaired by Minister Ghani.
  • The number of HIV-infected children at Valika Hospital has risen to 94, as reported by the provincial ombudsman's office.
  • The Sindh Ombudsman has ordered a comprehensive audit of the hospital's affairs.
  • The Sindh Healthcare Commission found lapses in infection prevention and control protocols, including improper handling of single-use syringes and inadequate medical waste segregation.
  • Disciplinary action has been endorsed against 37 doctors and paramedical staff, including ratification of suspensions and issuance of show-cause notices.

Perspectives

Government Response

The Sindh government, through Labour Minister Saeed Ghani, has pledged complete medical treatment for the affected children and vowed strict action against those found responsible. Ghani emphasized the government's commitment to a transparent investigation and stated that no individual found responsible would be spared. He also assured that the screening drive would not be suspended despite rising numbers, saying, "We will not suspend screening out of fear that more cases may emerge. The government will take full responsibility for all newly identified patients."

Ombudsman's Findings

Sindh Ombudsman Mohammad Sohail Rajput expressed disappointment over the performance of the hospital staff and directed the administration to ensure timely availability of medicines, dietary supplements, and other essential supplies. He ordered a comprehensive audit of the hospital's affairs and asked for the establishment of a help desk to facilitate affected families. The ombudsman also suggested engaging trained staff from the public health sector to address the shortage of senior professionals at the hospital.

Affected Families

Parents and families of the affected children, who were present during the ombudsman's hearing, expressed serious grievances regarding alleged lack of cooperation by the hospital administration. They also raised complaints about the non-availability of medicines and delays in the payment of outstanding treatment-related expenses. Officials extended assurances to look into the new cases and address the families' grievances.

Independent Inquiry

A petitioner before the Sindh High Court, Tariq Mansoor, had filed a preliminary list of children infected with HIV/AIDS due to alleged reuse of contaminated syringes, claiming the number of affected children was 200. He asked the court to order an independent inquiry, registration of a case, and lifelong medical treatment and compensation for the affected children. However, Minister Ghani confirmed that the government had data of 78 children, contradicting the petitioner's claim.