SHC steps in over alleged HIV outbreak at govt hospital

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Thursday directed the provincial government to submit a report within two weeks on allegations that reused syringes at Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital infected a large number of children with HIV, as affected families gathered outside the court to demand action and treatment.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon and Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry heard a petition filed by Advocate Tariq Mansoor, who accused the Sindh government of serious negligence in dealing with the reported outbreak. During the hearing, Mansoor told the court that the reuse of injections at the hospital had caused hundreds of children to contract HIV. He said nine children had died and that many others were still living with the virus, while adding that eight months had passed since the deaths without meaningful legal action.

The petitioner further told the court that an inquiry had been conducted after a legal notice was issued, but its findings had neither been placed before the court nor made public. He also said international organisations, including UNICEF, had raised concerns over the matter. According to the petition, nearly one million industrial workers and about eight million members of their families rely on Sindh government hospitals for treatment.

Mansoor alleged that the affected children were still not receiving proper medical care and said no FIRs had been registered over the deaths because, under the relevant law, only the provincial health secretary can initiate such cases. At one stage, he became emotional and told the bench that unless the court stepped in, hundreds more children could die.

Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon told counsel that the court understood the seriousness of the allegations but would proceed strictly according to law and legal procedure. Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry also asked him to let the court perform its constitutional role rather than deliver speeches during proceedings. The bench said it would form a conclusion only after receiving responses from all parties and assured the petitioner that the case would be examined thoroughly in line with due process.

The court sought replies from the respondents, ordered the Sindh government to file its report within two weeks, and adjourned the hearing until July 20.

Families protest outside court

After the hearing, affected families assembled outside the Sindh High Court carrying placards and calling for justice for children they said were infected during treatment at the hospital. The protesters included Advocate Tariq Mansoor, parents and children living with HIV.

The demonstrators accused the authorities of failing to protect patients and demanded strict action against those responsible, along with full medical treatment for the victims. Parents said their children’s health worsened after receiving treatment at Valika Hospital and that later tests at another medical facility confirmed they had contracted HIV.

They also spoke about the stigma their children face, saying neighbours often stop their own children from playing with those living with HIV, leaving the affected children socially isolated while also dealing with a serious illness. Addressing the protesters, Advocate Tariq Mansoor described the alleged reuse of contaminated syringes as a heinous crime and said the issue had been taken to every available legal and administrative forum.

He said the High Court had now sought explanations from provincial health authorities and expressed hope that the judicial process would lead to accountability, justice for the families and better treatment for the children.