An inquiry report has concluded that the repeated reuse of syringes caused the reported HIV outbreak among children who received treatment at the Sindh government-run Kulsum Bai Valika Social Security SITE Hospital in Karachi.
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According to the inquiry report obtained by local media, a 10cc syringe was allegedly used on multiple newborn children at the hospital, resulting in the spread of HIV among patients.
The report also revealed that the World Health Organization (WHO) had reported the spread of HIV at Valika Hospital in November last year, prompting growing concern over infection control practices.
Health authorities stated that 104 HIV cases, including 95 children, have so far been reported in connection with the outbreak.
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Following the emergence of the cases, a federal government team visited Valika Hospital and nearby neighbourhoods, holding meetings with hospital management and the parents of affected children. The team subsequently recommended an independent inquiry into the outbreak.
Meanwhile, the Sindh High Court’s constitutional bench has directed the Sindh government to submit a detailed report within two weeks on the HIV outbreak during proceedings on a petition seeking action over the alleged reuse of contaminated syringes.
A large number of HIV-positive children and their parents attended the court hearing, where the petitioners argued that contaminated syringes used at the hospital had infected numerous children.
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Earlier, in February, Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal publicly stated that the outbreak had been caused by the reuse of contaminated syringes at Valika Hospital.
Addressing the National Assembly on June 10, the minister also announced a ban on five types of syringes following an increase in HIV/AIDS cases across Pakistan. He added that new HIV infections had also been reported in Islamabad and Taunsa in Punjab.
However, back on July 01, 2026, a three-year-old girl has tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Karachi, raising the total number of infected children to 107 in Orangi Town alone.
According to the media reports, the infection was confirmed through three separate laboratory tests, including the Rapid Detect, Uni-Gold, and HIV Combo (Ag/Ab) tests.
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The family claimed that the infection was confirmed after the girl had received treatment at the Kulsum Bai Valika Social Security SITE Hospital, commonly known as Valika Hospital.
They stated that her health began to deteriorate after receiving treatment at the hospital, prompting them to seek HIV testing, which later confirmed the infection.
The latest case comes as health authorities continue investigating an HIV outbreak involving children who received treatment at the government-run Valika Hospital in Karachi’s SITE Town.
