KARACHI: Sixteen additional children have been diagnosed with HIV at the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI)-run Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital, raising the total number of affected children to 94, officials informed Sindh Ombudsman Mohammad Sohail Rajput during a hearing on Tuesday.
The latest report, presented by Ombudsman Adviser Haani Jamal Khan, revealed the new infections and warned that further cases could still emerge. Previously, the provincial government had confirmed 78 infected children.
During the proceedings, parents of the affected children voiced concerns over what they described as inadequate support from the hospital administration. They complained about shortages of medicines, delays in reimbursement of treatment expenses, and the difficulties they have faced while seeking medical care for their children.
Hospital officials assured the ombudsman that the newly reported cases would be investigated and that the concerns raised by families would be addressed.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the hospital’s handling of the situation, the ombudsman directed the administration to ensure uninterrupted availability of medicines, nutritional supplements, and other essential medical supplies. He also ordered the establishment of a dedicated help desk at the hospital’s main entrance to assist affected families with information and complaints.
To strengthen healthcare services, the ombudsman recommended temporarily assigning experienced doctors from the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital to Valika Hospital for six months. He noted that staffing shortages and administrative challenges may have contributed to the outbreak.
In addition, he instructed authorities to appoint a reputable audit firm within two weeks to carry out an independent review of the hospital’s financial and administrative operations.
The ombudsman further ordered measures to support families impacted by the outbreak, including helping workers who lost their jobs due to caring for infected children regain employment, providing compensation to families of deceased children, and ensuring rehabilitation services for those living with HIV.
Recognizing the emotional impact of the crisis, he also directed the appointment of qualified psychologists to provide mental health support to affected children and their families.
The case has been adjourned for two weeks.
The ombudsman first took notice of the issue after the initial HIV cases emerged at Valika Hospital in November 2025. Earlier directives included establishing a dedicated isolation ward, conducting a comprehensive inquiry, arranging a third-party audit, and ensuring free, high-quality treatment for all affected children. The latest hearing was attended by senior officials from the Labour Department, SESSI, and the Ombudsman’s Office.
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