Sindh has taken swift action against fake doctors and illegal blood banks across the province following the surge reported in HIV cases among children.
A high-level meeting on HIV prevention was presided by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho, where officials briefed Health Minister Onida about an alarming rise in HIV cases, with officials disclosing over 600,000 fake doctors operating across Sindh, with 40% of these fraudulent practices located in Karachi alone.
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Sindh province registered 3,995 children living with HIV as of February 2019 alone – Larkana being home to 1,144 cases alone, while Shikarpur recorded 509 and Benazirabad had 256 instances.
Officials have identified several contributing factors to HIV’s spread, including fake doctors, illegal clinics and contaminated injections from unregistered blood banks. Reusing blades and syringes along with improper disposal of medical waste further increase its spread.
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As a response, the Sindh Health Care Commission, police and deputy commissioners have received orders to act against quack doctors. Furthermore, the government has ordered immediate closure of unregistered blood banks across Sindh.
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Dr. Azra Pechuho directed health officials to provide a list of licensed blood banks. She stressed the need for mandatory HIV testing of pregnant women during their pregnancies. Furthermore, anyone found reopening closed health centers will face arrest.
