Another Major City Hit By Increasing HIV Cases

Karachi has reported a worrying HIV outbreak, with more than 100 new infections detected in 2025, most of them among young children. Officials fear the surge could mirror the 2019 Ratodero crisis, which exposed serious failures in infection control across Sindh’s healthcare system.

An official at Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital (SIDH) said the reported pediatric cases may be just the “tip of the iceberg.” The hospital admitted around 35 new children with HIV in 2025, along with adult patients from across Karachi. All are receiving antiretroviral therapy at SIDH.

Prof. Naseem Salahuddin, former head of infectious diseases at the Indus Hospital, said the outbreak also affects adults. She noted cases of married women with HIV-negative husbands and children with HIV-negative parents, suggesting unsafe medical practices rather than household transmission.

Government officials said the new infections include infants, toddlers, school-age children, and adolescents, while adult cases remain limited. Boys slightly outnumber girls, but the near-equal gender distribution further points to unsafe healthcare practices as the main cause.

Most affected children live in underserved, densely populated areas, including Keamari, Machar Colony, Raees Goth, Sher Shah, Orangi Town, Pathan Colony, Site Town, Baldia, Korangi, and nearby industrial zones in Karachi West and South districts.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and providing treatment to all identified patients.