KARACHI (Web Desk) – More than 100 children from the same neighbourhood in Karachi have tested positive for HIV over the past nine months, triggering renewed concerns about Pakistan’s healthcare system, infection control standards and enforcement of medical safety regulations.
The affected children are receiving treatment at Valika Hospital in Karachi’s SITE area, where doctors continue to monitor their condition. Residents say the outbreak has deeply affected the local community, with several families struggling to cope with the physical, emotional and financial burden of long-term treatment.
According to local residents, at least nine children have died over the past year after contracting HIV, intensifying demands for a thorough investigation into the source of the infections and stricter action against those responsible for any negligence.
Health experts say the cluster of infections highlights serious gaps in infection prevention measures and raises questions about compliance with national medical safety standards.
Former World Health Organization (WHO) official Dr. Zafar Mirza described the outbreak as more than a public health emergency, saying it also reflects weaknesses in governance, healthcare management and regulatory oversight.
He recalled that Pakistan introduced stricter injection safety measures following the large-scale HIV outbreak in Ratodero, Sindh, in 2019. After that crisis, authorities established a national task force and introduced policies promoting the use of single-use syringes to reduce the spread of blood-borne diseases.
Despite those reforms, Dr. Mirza said evidence suggests disposable syringes continue to be reused illegally in some areas, increasing the risk of transmitting HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and other infectious diseases.
Medical experts warn that reusing disposable syringes remains one of the leading causes of preventable transmission of blood-borne infections. They stress that every injection should be administered using a new sterile syringe that is discarded immediately after use.
Healthcare specialists have also expressed concern over blood transfusion practices, noting that every donated blood unit should be screened for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis and malaria before being transfused into patients.
According to experts, weaknesses in blood screening systems can expose vulnerable patients, particularly children, to life-threatening infections if contaminated blood enters hospitals or healthcare facilities.
Public health professionals say improving laboratory testing, strengthening monitoring systems and ensuring strict compliance with infection control protocols are essential to preventing future outbreaks.
The latest incident has prompted calls for health authorities to conduct comprehensive epidemiological investigations to identify exactly how the children became infected.
Experts say determining whether the infections resulted from unsafe injections, contaminated blood transfusions or other medical procedures will be critical in preventing similar outbreaks elsewhere.
Parents in the affected neighbourhood have appealed to provincial and federal authorities for greater transparency regarding the investigation. Many families say they want clear answers about how their children contracted the virus and what measures will be taken to prevent additional infections.
Medical professionals emphasize that HIV cannot spread through ordinary social contact such as sharing food, attending school or casual interaction. They stress that public awareness is essential to prevent discrimination against affected children and their families.
Health experts also recommend expanding routine inspections of hospitals, clinics, laboratories and diagnostic centres to ensure compliance with infection prevention standards. They argue that stronger enforcement of medical regulations is necessary to eliminate unsafe healthcare practices.
Authorities have recently announced measures to phase out conventional disposable syringes in favour of auto-disable safety syringes designed to prevent reuse. Public health specialists believe the transition could significantly reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections if implemented effectively nationwide.
Experts further recommend continuous training for healthcare workers, improved monitoring of private medical facilities and stricter penalties for those violating infection control regulations.
The Karachi outbreak has once again highlighted the importance of patient safety, quality healthcare services and effective regulatory oversight. Public health experts say sustained investment in infection control, safe medical equipment and stronger healthcare governance will be essential to protecting patients and preventing similar incidents in the future.
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