Sindh records surge in HIV cases

KARACHI: There is an alarming rise in HIV positive cases among children across Sindh, as major hospitals continue to confirm three to four new paediatric cases every week. Infectious disease experts describe the surge as unusual and deeply concerning.

Clinicians at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Indus Hospital, the Sindh Institute of Child Health, the National Institute of Child Health, and several government facilities confirm an acute increase in infections.

Concerns grew further after doctors at Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital reported more than 18 HIV-positive children this month. Most of the affected belong to Pathan Colony in SITE Town.

Experts at AKUH said they recorded four new cases of paediatric HIV last week. Between January and October, they documented 29, with spikes in September and October.

Dr Fatima Mir of AKUH said many children brought in with severe pneumonia and malnutrition are now being screened. Some are testing positive. She noted that hospitals in Karachi and interior Sindh are reporting the same trend.

SICHN officials also confirmed the rising numbers. They have started screening every child coming to their facilities and referring new cases to the ART centres for treatment. Their latest data shows 12 positive cases out of 476 children screened across Karachi, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur, and other districts.

Doctors said the actual number is higher because of a shortage of reliable WHO-approved testing kits. Staff at NICH, SESSI Hospital in Landhi, SIDHRC, IHHN and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital report multiple new cases each week as well.

The paediatricians say common symptoms include repeated chest infections, severe pneumonia, chronic diarrhoea, persistent fever, severe malnutrition and poor weight gain. They urged the immediate screening for HIV the moment these signs appear.

Experts recall that the 2019 outbreak in Ratodero was linked to unsafe injections, reused syringes, and unscreened blood transfusions. They fear similar practices may be contributing again.

Despite a deepening crisis, the Sindh HIV programme has not issued any statement. A request for comment to Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho remains unanswered.