KARACHI: A three-year-old child from Karachi's Pathan Colony has tested positive for HIV, with his parents alleging that the infection was contracted following treatment at Valika Hospital.
According to the child's parents, the boy had received medical treatment at the hospital and subsequently began experiencing persistent health issues. Concerned by his deteriorating condition, the family sought further medical evaluation, during which the child underwent HIV testing.
The parents said the child's HIV diagnosis was confirmed through three separate testing kits, all of which reportedly returned positive results.
The family has alleged that negligence on the part of doctors at Valika Hospital led to their child's HIV infection. However, these allegations have not been independently verified, and no official response from the hospital administration was immediately available.
The latest case has renewed concerns over the growing number of HIV infections among children in Pathan Colony, an area that has witnessed an alarming rise in pediatric HIV cases in recent years.
According to figures cited by the family and local community sources, 107 children in Pathan Colony have so far been diagnosed with HIV, while the number of deaths among HIV-positive children has reached nine.
Medical experts have previously warned that pediatric HIV transmission can occur through several routes, including mother-to-child transmission, contaminated blood transfusions and unsafe medical practices. Determining the exact source of infection in any individual case requires a thorough medical and epidemiological investigation.
The emergence of another pediatric HIV case has once again highlighted concerns about infection prevention practices, patient safety standards and the need for comprehensive public health investigations in affected communities.
Medical News Pakistan has reached out for an official response from Valika Hospital and relevant health authorities. This story will be updated if and when further information becomes available.
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