Sindh Sees Alarming Surge in HIV Cases Among Children

An alarming rise in HIV cases among children is being reported across Sindh, with major hospitals confirming three to four new paediatric cases every week. Infectious disease experts say the surge is unusual and deeply concerning.

Clinicians at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Indus Hospital, the Sindh Institute of Child Health (SICHN), the National Institute of Child Health (NICH), and several government facilities confirm a sharp increase in infections.

Concern grew further after doctors at Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital reported over 18 HIV-positive children this month. Most of the affected belong to Pathan Colony in SITE Town.

AKUH experts said they recorded four new paediatric HIV cases last week. From January to October, they documented 29 cases, with spikes in September and October.

Dr Fatima Mir of AKUH said many children brought in with severe pneumonia and malnutrition are now being screened. Some are testing positive. She noted that hospitals in Karachi and interior Sindh are reporting the same trend.

SICHN officials also confirmed rising numbers. They have begun screening every child visiting their facilities and forwarding new cases to ART centres for treatment. Their recent data shows 12 positive cases out of 476 children screened across Karachi, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur, and other districts.

Doctors warn that the actual number may be higher due to a shortage of reliable WHO-approved testing kits. Staff at NICH, SESSI Hospital in Landhi, SIDHRC, IHHN, and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital also report multiple new cases each week.

Paediatricians say common symptoms include repeated chest infections, severe pneumonia, chronic diarrhoea, persistent fever, severe malnutrition, and poor weight gain. They urged immediate HIV screening when these signs appear.

Experts recall that the Ratodero outbreak in 2019 was linked to unsafe injections, reused syringes, and unscreened blood transfusions. They fear similar practices may be contributing again.

Despite the growing crisis, the Sindh HIV programme has not issued any statement. A request for comment from Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho remains unanswered.