Sindh to Register FIRs Against Negligent Doctors as Karachi HIV Cases Rise to 120
KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced legal action against healthcare professionals found responsible for negligence after the number of HIV cases linked to Karachi’s Kulsum Bai Valika (KBV) Hospital increased to 120.
Speaking at a press conference at the Sindh Assembly, Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani said authorities had screened more than 10,500 people in and around KBV Hospital. The screening campaign identified 120 HIV-positive individuals, who are now receiving medical care through government-supported treatment programs.
Government Provides Free Treatment
According to Ghani, 81 of the affected individuals are registered under the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI), while the remaining 39 patients are also being provided free treatment by the provincial government despite not being covered by the institution.
The minister added that a separate screening drive at SESSI Landhi Hospital tested around 2,000 people, where 10 additional HIV-positive cases were detected.
Screening Campaign to Continue
The Sindh government has pledged to continue screening efforts, emphasizing that early diagnosis is essential for controlling the spread of HIV.
Ghani said investigations indicate that all confirmed cases were linked to infections acquired before October 2025, adding that no new cases connected to the outbreak have been identified since then.
Legal Action Against Responsible Officials
The labour minister rejected claims that the government responded slowly, stating that health authorities launched screening operations immediately after the first cases emerged in October last year.
He said the Sindh Health Department’s Communicable Disease Control team began testing residents the following day, while an inquiry committee was established shortly afterward.
The initial investigation confirmed 16 HIV infections among children and reported two deaths. A later inquiry found 78 confirmed cases and six fatalities.
Ghani revealed that show-cause notices have been issued to 37 doctors and hospital staff members. He said anyone found guilty of negligence would face disciplinary action, dismissal from service, and criminal proceedings, including the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs).
Rs2 Billion Fund for Affected Children
The provincial government has established a Rs2 billion endowment fund to support the treatment and welfare of children affected by the outbreak.
Ghani assured that additional funding would be provided if required and emphasized that the identities of patients would remain confidential under the Sindh HIV and AIDS Control, Treatment and Protection Act, 2013, to protect families from discrimination and social stigma.
Focus on Medical Waste Management
Addressing concerns about medical waste disposal, which investigators identified as a key factor behind the outbreak, the minister said healthcare facilities are required to follow the Sindh Hospital Waste Management Rules.
He acknowledged that some individuals failed to comply with proper disposal procedures for personal benefit and confirmed that legal action against those responsible is underway.
Health Experts Call for Stronger Safety Measures
Speaking at the briefing, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, founder of Indus Hospital and Health Network, described the growing number of HIV and hepatitis C cases in Pakistan as a serious public health challenge. He called for stronger cooperation between government institutions, hospitals, and healthcare providers to reduce future infections.
Meanwhile, Dr. Faisal Mahmood, Associate Chief Medical Officer at Aga Khan University Hospital and an infectious disease specialist, stressed that the issue extends beyond a single hospital. He urged stricter implementation of infection prevention and control measures across all healthcare facilities, including private clinics, to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
