Labour minister pledges full medical care for affected children, vows action against anyone found negligent
By Bunmi Yekini
Pakistan’s Sindh provincial government will conduct a thorough investigation into the HIV infections of at least 78 children linked to a state-run hospital and take strict action against anyone found responsible, Labour Minister Saeed Ghani said.
The pledge comes after the Sindh High Court last week directed the provincial government to explain within two weeks the HIV outbreak at Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital, a Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) facility in Karachi’s SITE area.
The court order followed a petition by Tariq Mansoor, who alleged that children contracted HIV due to the reuse of contaminated syringes at the hospital. The petition sought an independent inquiry, criminal prosecution of those responsible, lifelong medical treatment for the affected children and compensation for their families.
Speaking to reporters after an event organised by the Karachi Film School on Saturday, Ghani described the infections as a “serious issue” and said the government would ensure accountability.
“I assure the families that the Labour Department and the Sindh government will not leave them alone,” Ghani said, adding that the affected children would receive comprehensive medical treatment and other necessary support.
He said he assumed office as labour minister in September 2025 and convened an emergency meeting after reports of HIV infections emerged the following month. A fact-finding inquiry committee was established on Oct. 29, 2025, leading to the suspension of several officials based on its recommendations, he said.
A second inquiry committee was later constituted on the instructions of the provincial ombudsman after a petition was filed on Nov. 7, 2025 to further investigate the incident, Ghani added.
While the petitioner claimed that as many as 200 children had been infected, Ghani said authorities had so far verified 78 cases. He said the actual number could not yet be confirmed because some parents had not appeared before the inquiry committee.
“There must have been negligence on someone’s part,” Ghani said, adding that anyone found responsible, including doctors, paramedical staff or other officials, would face action.
He said financial compensation alone would not be enough, stressing that the government’s priority was to provide long-term medical treatment and continued support for the affected children and their families.
Ghani also rejected allegations that the infections resulted from the reuse of syringes, saying the hospital uses auto-disable syringes designed to prevent reuse. He did not elaborate on what may have caused the outbreak, saying investigations were ongoing.