The Sindh health department has informed the Sindh High Court (SHC) that it has taken all necessary public health measures following the HIV outbreak among children at the SESSI-run Valika Hospital.
In a report submitted before a two-judge constitutional bench headed by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon, the department said it had established a province-wide network of 44 antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres under its communicable disease control programme to help prevent the spread of HIV.
The case stems from a petition filed by Advocate Tariq Mansoor, who sought an independent inquiry, criminal proceedings against those responsible, lifelong treatment, and compensation for the affected children.
The petition named several respondents, including the chief secretary, health secretary, Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI), the hospital’s medical superintendent, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Sindh Child Protection Authority, and other officials.
According to the health department, Valika Hospital operates under SESSI and is managed by the Labour and Human Resources Department, while the communicable disease control programme functions under the health department.
The report stated that an ART centre was established at Valika Hospital on October 27, 2025, in response to the outbreak. Since then, authorities have screened 10,474 people, identified 120 HIV-positive cases, and enrolled all diagnosed patients in free treatment, counselling, and follow-up care programmes.
The department also informed the court that the Sindh Healthcare Commission conducted two inspections of the hospital and identified shortcomings in infection prevention, infection control, and overall administration. It recommended corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The health department maintained that it had fulfilled its legal and public health responsibilities through surveillance, screening, free treatment, and technical support. It added that SESSI and the Labour Department remain responsible for the hospital’s administration, while departmental proceedings are already underway against officials found responsible.
The Sindh High Court took the report on record and directed the IGP and other respondents to submit their comments by August 11.
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