KARACHI: The HIV outbreak linked to Karachi’s Valika Hospital has deepened concerns after the number of HIV-positive children rose to 80, leaving affected families demanding accountability, improved healthcare, and protection from the stigma surrounding the disease.
The outbreak first came to light in October 2025, prompting health authorities to launch expanded screening and an investigation into the source of the infections. Most confirmed cases have been reported from neighborhoods surrounding the hospital, including Banaras, Orangi Town, SITE Area, Ittehad Town, and Pathan Colony.
The Sindh government says all infected children are receiving treatment through Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centres and has announced a Rs2 billion endowment fund to support their long-term medical care. However, many parents claim they continue to face delayed treatment, financial hardship, and widespread discrimination.
Several families say they still do not know how their children contracted HIV. Parents who tested negative themselves have questioned whether lapses in hospital procedures, including blood transfusions and infection control practices, could have contributed to the outbreak.
Families also describe severe social stigma. Some children have reportedly been excluded from schools, while others face isolation from relatives and neighbors. Parents say the discrimination has added emotional trauma to an already devastating medical crisis.
Local representatives have expressed concerns that the actual number of infections may exceed 100, citing evidence submitted to the Sindh High Court. Allegations of negligence, including the reported use of expired testing kits and poor infection control measures, have intensified calls for a transparent investigation.
In response, the Sindh government has suspended two doctors and 17 nursing staff, removed the hospital’s medical superintendent, and issued show-cause notices to 37 doctors and paramedical employees as investigations continue.
Despite these actions, affected families say accountability remains incomplete. They are calling for an independent inquiry to determine how the infections occurred and to ensure similar incidents are prevented in the future.
As investigations continue, families insist that medical treatment alone is not enough. They are urging authorities to deliver justice, restore public confidence in the healthcare system, and provide long-term support so HIV-positive children can live free from discrimination and fear.
