16 more children found infected with HIV at Karachi's Valika Hospital, ombudsman told

KARACHI: Sindh Ombudsman Mohammad Sohail Rajput was informed on Tuesday that 16 more children had tested positive for HIV/AIDS at the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution-run Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital, bringing the total number of infected children linked to the facility to 94.

The update was shared during a hearing on the outbreak at the hospital, where the provincial government had earlier confirmed 78 cases. Adviser to the ombudsman Haani Jamal Khan presented a report saying the fresh diagnoses had been added to the tally, while concerns remained that more cases could still surface.

Parents and family members of the affected children attended the hearing and voiced frustration over what they described as a lack of cooperation from the hospital administration. They also complained about shortages of medicines and delays in reimbursement of treatment-related expenses.

Officials at the hearing said they would look into the newly reported cases and address the families’ grievances. The ombudsman, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the hospital’s performance and directed the administration to ensure the timely availability of medicines, dietary supplements and other essential supplies for the children.

He also ordered the hospital to set up a help desk near the main entrance to deal with complaints from affected families and provide easier access to support services. To address the shortage of senior professionals, he suggested that trained staff from the public health sector be brought in and directed officials to arrange doctors from the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital on six-month deputation.

According to a statement from his office, Rajput said the apparent financial and administrative problems at the hospital may have contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS among children. He instructed the authorities to identify a reputable audit firm within two weeks to carry out a comprehensive audit of the hospital’s affairs.

He further asked officials to take steps to reinstate worker parents who had lost their jobs because of the cost of treatment for their children. The ombudsman also ordered compensation for families of children who had died and called for rehabilitation measures for children living with HIV/AIDS.

In addition, he directed the appointment of qualified psychologists to provide mental-health support to the affected children and their families. The hearing was adjourned for two weeks.

The matter had previously been taken up by the Sindh ombudsman after 16 cases of HIV-infected children emerged at Valika Hospital in November 2025. He had then ordered a dedicated isolation ward, a detailed inquiry, a third-party audit of hospital operations and treatment for the children at government expense.

Tuesday’s hearing was attended by Labour Secretary Sajid Jamal Abro, SESSI Commissioner Hadi Bakhsh Kalhoro, Ombudsman Registrar Masood Ishrat and Regional Director-West Aftab Khatri.

This report is based on a monitored public feed and is attributed to Dawn Home. Source: Dawn Home - https://www.dawn.com/news/2017375/16-more-children-found-infected-with-hiv-at-karachis-valika-hospital-ombudsman-told