Sindh Government approved a Rs2 billion endowment fund to provide long-term medical treatment and welfare support for 78 children affected by the HIV outbreak linked to Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital.
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The decision was taken during a meeting of the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) Governing Body chaired by Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani.
According to an official statement, the fund will be used to ensure the affected children receive medical care and welfare assistance for themselves and their families.
The development comes days after the government confirmed that 78 children had tested positive for HIV/AIDS following treatment at the SESSI-run hospital.
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The figure was confirmed by Saeed Ghani, who also assured parents that the government would provide complete medical treatment and every possible support.
The Governing Body also reviewed the findings of an inquiry committee formed under directions of the Provincial Ombudsman.
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Members endorsed disciplinary action against 37 doctors and paramedical staff, including the ratification of their suspensions and the issuance of show-cause notices.
Addressing the meeting, Ghani said the investigation was being conducted transparently and that irrespective of rank or grade any person found responsible would not be granted any concession.
The minister said he had ordered the formation of an inquiry committee immediately after receiving the first report of the incident in October 2025.
He added that while only a limited number of cases had initially been identified, the government later directed that all children be screened, resulting in HIV infection being confirmed in 78 children so far.
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Investigators have also been tasked with determining whether the infections occurred during the relevant period or earlier. Inquiries are continuing against all doctors, paramedical staff, and officials who were on duty when the incidents were believed to have taken place.
On July 2, a division bench of the Sindh High Court directed the provincial government to explain the HIV outbreak at the SESSI-run Valika Hospital within two weeks.
The petition before the court sought an independent inquiry, registration of a case, lifelong medical treatment, and appropriate compensation for the affected children, alleging that contaminated syringes had been reused at the hospital.
