KARACHI: Children’s who faced with HIV disease due to the negligence of the government hospitals staff and proper medication, all the reports gathered at the Karachi Press Club (KPC), by demanding an FIR against all the nominated hospitals, staff and medical care.
The parents seek major concern over this issue by reporting at least 200 children’s were infected and almost nearly nine deaths happened , by claiming that most of the children were born at Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital in SITE, a facility run by the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution under the labor department, while others were admitted for unrelated treatment.
Lawyer Tariq Mansoor said that, the families said they have spent months moving between offices without getting justice. They said poverty, job insecurity, and social stigma have made their situation even worse. Some parents also said they received threats for pursuing the case.
Several parents described severe emotional and financial stress. One father said the situation has destroyed family life, while children have also faced discrimination, including school expulsions after their health status became known. Others said they struggled to afford repeated hospital visits as their children frequently fall ill.
Parents also alleged that the hospital failed to provide complete medical records when the outbreak was first reported. One family said they only discovered the infection after getting their child tested at a private hospital in Karachi, which confirmed the diagnosis.
Advocate Mansoor said families are also facing financial pressure because they lose wages when they take time off work for treatment. He also alleged that some families are being intimidated to stop them from continuing the case.
The families demanded that the official inquiry be completed quickly and made public. They also called for strict legal action under the Sindh Regulation and Control of Disposable Syringes Act, 2010. They said an FIR has not been registered yet, which has delayed accountability.
Mansoor said only the provincial health secretary can order an FIR under the law. He questioned why action has not been taken even after several months, and accused authorities of delaying the process.
He also alleged that contaminated syringes were used, which led to the outbreak. He said only auto-disable syringes are legally allowed, as they prevent reuse and reduce infection risks.
The lawyer further said the law exists but has not been fully implemented even after many years. He added that poor enforcement has contributed to repeated public health failures.
He said he has contacted multiple government bodies, including the Sindh Healthcare Commission, but received no response. He also said he has approached international organizations, including UNICEF and the International Labor Organization, for support.
The families urged international agencies to intervene and help ensure proper treatment for affected children. They also asked for care at major hospitals or medical support abroad with family members accompanying patients, saying they want urgent action before more lives are lost.
