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

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the provincial government to create a committee for an "independent, impartial and comprehensive" investigation into the HIV outbreak among children at Karachi’s Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Adnanul Karim Memon and including Justice Muhammad Jaffer Raza, made the decision while announcing its reserved judgment on a plea seeking an independent inquiry, registration of a case, lifelong medical treatment, and appropriate compensation for the affected children.

The outbreak was first reported late last year, leading the Sindh government to conduct screening at the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI)-run hospital in Karachi’s SITE area. According to government data, at least 78 children have been found infected with HIV at the hospital, with an additional 120 cases confirmed nearby.

However, the lawyer who filed the petition in May claims the actual number of infected children could be around 200. The court noted that previous departmental proceedings and reports were insufficient to determine the number of affected individuals, the source of transmission, compliance with infection-control protocols, and the actions of responsible officials.

Consequently, the court deemed it necessary to establish an independent fact-finding mechanism, headed by the Sindh chief secretary, to conduct the inquiry. The committee, which should include two senior officers not directly involved in the hospital's affairs, will determine various aspects of the outbreak, including the number of affected children, the source and mode of transmission, compliance with medical regulations, and the implementation of infection-prevention protocols.

The committee will submit its comprehensive report to the competent authority and the SHC within two months of its formation. During the inquiry, the Sindh chief secretary must ensure that all affected children receive free, comprehensive medical treatment, and the government shall bear all associated expenses. The court also directed the provincial chief secretary to determine and process compensation, financial assistance, or other lawful relief for affected children and their families, strictly in accordance with applicable statutes and government policies.