CM Sindh Orders Action as HIV Cases Among Children at Valika Hospital Reach 80

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered strict accountability over HIV infections among children at Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital after the number of confirmed cases reached 80.

During a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House, Shah directed the Labour Department to ensure continuous treatment and long-term rehabilitation for the affected children, while warning that healthcare negligence would not be tolerated.

The first six cases were reported on October 23, 2025, prompting separate inquiries by the Labour Department and the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI).

An inquiry report submitted on November 6 linked 16 cases to the hospital’s pediatric department and identified serious failures in infection control and administration.

The findings included weak sterilization checks, poor biomedical waste disposal, shortages of disposable supplies and biohazard containers, inadequate record-keeping, and limited HIV testing and follow-up facilities.

The committee also raised concerns about the possible reuse or mishandling of disposable equipment, including syringes, and found that staff were not consistently following safety protocols or using protective equipment.

Labour Minister Saeed Ghani said an antiretroviral therapy center was established at the hospital on November 15 and became fully operational on November 24 after staff training.

SESSI has also issued standardized HIV-prevention protocols to its medical facilities across Sindh.

More than 300 doctors and paramedical workers were screened, with two testing positive. Their family members tested negative.