The Mirpurkhas district in Sindh is rapidly becoming a new epicenter for pediatric HIV cases, drawing parallels to the 2019 Larkana outbreak. Official data released Tuesday reveals that 150 children in Mirpurkhas tested positive for HIV in 2024 alone, raising alarm over an escalating health crisis in the region.
Mirpurkhas now accounts for over 26% of the 568 pediatric HIV cases reported in Sindh last year. On average, 48 children tested positive for HIV each month across the province. Data compiled by Sindh’s health authorities show:
Overall, Sindh recorded 3,446 new HIV cases in 2024, which included:
Experts attribute the surge in pediatric HIV cases primarily to poor Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, with unsafe injection practices identified as the main driver. Dr. Faisal Mehmood, head of the infectious diseases department at Aga Khan University Hospital, explained:
“When we test the parents of HIV-positive children, most are negative. In many cases, even the siblings test negative. This strongly suggests that unsafe medical practices, such as the reuse of syringes and IV drips by unlicensed and some registered practitioners, are the primary sources of transmission.”
Sindh’s capital, Karachi, continues to report the highest number of HIV cases among urban centers, with 969 new cases in 2024. District-wise breakdown includes:
Health officials fear Mirpurkhas may face a crisis similar to Larkana’s 2019 outbreak, where over 900 children were diagnosed with HIV due to rampant unsafe medical practices. Current trends in Mirpurkhas suggest a combination of:
Public health officials are urging a multi-faceted response to curb the spread of HIV in Sindh, particularly in high-prevalence districts like Mirpurkhas:
Without immediate intervention, experts warn that Mirpurkhas risks facing an HIV outbreak on par with Larkana’s crisis. Strengthening infection control measures, enforcing healthcare regulations, and raising community awareness are vital steps in preventing further escalation of the epidemic. Authorities stress the urgency of acting now to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children, from this preventable disease.