Karachi has witnessed a concerning HIV outbreak, with over 100 new infections reported in 2025, the majority involving young children. Health officials fear that the surge could resemble the 2019 Ratodero crisis, which revealed severe lapses in infection control within Sindh’s healthcare system.
An official from Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital (SIDH) said the pediatric cases may represent only the “tip of the iceberg.” During 2025, SIDH admitted around 35 children with HIV, along with adult patients from across the city. All patients are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy at the hospital.
Prof. Naseem Salahuddin, former head of infectious diseases at the Indus Hospital, noted that adults are also affected. She highlighted cases where married women had HIV-negative husbands and children had HIV-negative parents, indicating that unsafe medical practices, rather than household transmission, are likely driving the outbreak.
Government officials reported that the new infections span infants, toddlers, school-age children, and adolescents, with adult cases remaining comparatively limited. Boys slightly outnumber girls, but the near-equal gender distribution further suggests unsafe healthcare practices as the primary cause.
The majority of affected children reside in underserved, densely populated neighborhoods, including Keamari, Machar Colony, Raees Goth, Sher Shah, Orangi Town, Pathan Colony, Site Town, Baldia, Korangi, and surrounding industrial areas in Karachi West and South districts.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, providing treatment to all identified patients, and emphasizing the need for immediate public health interventions to prevent further spread and ensure strict infection control measures.
Also read: Child Health Alarm: HIV Cases Escalate In Nawabshah
