KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought detailed reports from the Sindh health secretary and provincial police chief after a citizen filed a petition over reports of an alleged HIV outbreak linked to the reuse of contaminated syringes and medical negligence at a Karachi hospital.
According to a report published on Dawn.com, the petition was filed by citizen Tariq Mansoor and was heard by a two-member SHC bench comprising Justice Adnanul Karim Memon and Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry.
In its written order, the court noted that the petition arose from reports of an HIV outbreak at Kulsum Bai Valika SESSI Hospital, SITE, Karachi, allegedly caused by the reuse of contaminated syringes and gross medical negligence. The order stated that approximately 84 to more than 200 children were reportedly infected, with several deaths also reported.
The bench observed that the hospital is a public healthcare facility operating under the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI) and is responsible for providing medical services to insured workers and their dependents. The court emphasised that the hospital caters to a large number of patients daily and has a statutory obligation to provide safe and adequate medical treatment.
According to the petition, despite repeated media reports about the alleged outbreak, no transparent, independent or time-bound inquiry has been conducted to determine responsibility for the reported infections.
The petitioner informed the court that he had served legal notices on the relevant authorities, demanding an independent inquiry, criminal proceedings against those responsible, disclosure of inquiry findings, screening and treatment of affected children, and compensation for victims. However, he argued that no meaningful action had been taken other than correspondence seeking reports from the concerned authorities.
The petition further stated that a preliminary list of children allegedly affected by HIV due to the reported reuse of contaminated syringes at the hospital had been submitted to the court. The petitioner also claimed that the actual number of affected children may exceed 200.
During the hearing, the Sindh assistant advocate general requested additional time to submit comments on behalf of the authorities. The court granted two weeks and adjourned the hearing until July 20.
The petition has been filed as a public interest litigation seeking enforcement of several constitutional rights, including the right to life, dignity, information, equality and social justice.
According to the plea, the alleged reuse of disposable syringes constitutes a violation of the Sindh Regulation and Control of Disposable Syringes Act, 2010, and amounts to criminal negligence under the Pakistan Penal Code. The petitioner contended that failure to enforce regulations governing disposable syringes has endangered public health and violated fundamental constitutional protections.
The petitioner has requested the court to order an independent and transparent inquiry, ensure criminal proceedings against those found responsible, provide lifelong treatment and compensation for affected children, and direct authorities to fully implement the provisions of the disposable syringes law throughout Sindh.
According to the report published on Dawn.com, concerns over paediatric HIV infections linked to healthcare settings have persisted for months. Reports of HIV-positive children associated with treatment at Valika Hospital first emerged in late 2025, while families of affected children have claimed that around 200 children were infected and at least nine have died.
Pakistan has previously witnessed healthcare-associated HIV outbreaks, including the 2019 outbreak in Ratodero, Sindh, where repeated use of injections was later identified as a major contributing factor. More recently, investigations have also highlighted concerns over paediatric HIV infections linked to healthcare practices in Punjab's Taunsa.
Public health experts have repeatedly stressed that strict infection prevention protocols, safe injection practices and rigorous oversight of healthcare facilities are essential to prevent avoidable infections and protect vulnerable patients, particularly children.
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