SHC orders formation of committee to probe HIV outbreak among children at Karachi hospital

The Sindh High Court (SHC) ordered the formation of a committee to conduct an independent and comprehensive investigation into the HIV outbreak among children at Karachi's Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital. The two-member bench, consisting of Justices Adnanul Karim Memon and Muhammad Jaffer Raza, issued the directive following a plea seeking an independent inquiry, registration of a case, lifelong medical treatment, and compensation for the affected children.

At least 78 children have been confirmed to be HIV-positive at the hospital, with an additional 120 cases identified in the surrounding area. However, the lawyer who filed the petition claims the total number of infected children could be around 200. The court deemed the existing departmental proceedings insufficient to determine the accurate number of affected individuals, the transmission source, compliance with infection-control protocols, and the responsibility of officials.

It directed that a committee, headed by the Sindh chief secretary, be constituted to investigate various aspects of the outbreak, including the actual number of HIV-positive patients, the source and mode of transmission, the use of proper medical equipment, adherence to infection-control protocols, and the legality of departmental proceedings.

The committee will have two months to submit a comprehensive report to the competent authority and the SHC. Until the inquiry is completed, the Sindh chief secretary must ensure all affected children receive free medical treatment at a higher standard of care.