Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resources and Social Protection Saeed Ghani at a press conference at the committee room of the Sindh Assembly on July 14, 2026. Photo: Express
Sindh Labor Minister Saeed Ghani on Tuesday said the number of people diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) linked to the outbreak at Karachi’s Kulsum Bai Valika (KBV) hospital had risen to 120, and announced that cases would be registered against those found guilty of negligence.
Addressing a press conference at the Sindh Assembly committee room, Ghani said that more than 10,500 people were tested for the virus in and around Valika Hospital, resulting in 120 people being diagnosed as HIV positive.
He highlighted that infected children were receiving treatment in five major hospitals across the country.
Of the 120 affected people, Ghani said, 81 were registered beneficiaries of the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) and the remaining 39 people, although not covered by the institution, were still receiving free treatment from the government.
Highlighting other measures, the minister said that some 2,000 people were examined at SESSI’s Landhi hospital, of which 10 were diagnosed as HIV positive.
“The government will continue the screening campaign despite fears that new cases may emerge,” he said, asserting that early diagnosis remains the most effective means of controlling the spread of the disease.
Read: Total HIV cases at Karachi’s KBV hospital rise to 80 as pre-teens, toddlers test positive
It confirmed that all cases identified so far were related to infections acquired before October 2025 and that no new outbreak cases were reported subsequently.
Rejecting claims that the provincial government remained indifferent to the outbreak at the SESSI-run Valika Hospital, the labor minister said the government acted as soon as the cases emerged in October last year.
He said the Health Department’s Communicable Disease Control team began examining residents the day after the first cases were reported, while an investigation committee was constituted within a few days.
According to the minister, the initial investigation confirmed HIV infection among 16 children and recorded two deaths, and a subsequent investigation report identified 78 confirmed cases and six deaths.
“37 doctors and staff members have been issued show-cause notices,” Ghani said, adding that all those responsible would face strict disciplinary and legal measures.
Read more: CM orders probe after HIV outbreak in Valika
“Those involved will not only be dismissed from the service, but first charges will also be registered against them and they will face judicial proceedings,” said the minister during the press conference.
Ghani said the Sindh government had established an endowment fund of Rs 2,000 million for the treatment and welfare of infected children, and stressed that the amount would be increased if necessary.
To protect children and families from social stigma and discrimination, the minister promised to keep the identities of those infected “confidential” in accordance with the Sindh Protection, Treatment and Control of HIV and AIDS Act, 2013.
Replying to a question on medical waste disposal, which was the root cause of the HIV outbreak, the minister said clinical waste management was being done as per the Sindh Hospital Waste Management Rules, but some people refused to comply with the prescribed procedures for personal gain.
He said punitive measures were being taken against these elements.
Addressing the press conference, Dr Abdul Bari Khan, Founder of Indus Hospital and Health Network, said the prevalence of HIV and Hepatitis C in Pakistan remained a matter of serious concern and called for coordinated efforts by the government, health institutions and other stakeholders to reduce the number of cases.
Dr. Faisal Mahmood, associate medical director at Aga Khan University Hospital and an infectious disease specialist, emphasized that the problem was not endemic to a single hospital or locality.
He called for stricter implementation of infection prevention and control protocols in all health facilities, including private clinics.
