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Govt confirms hospital lapses behind HIV outbreak in 78 Karachi children

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Findings emerge at CM-chaired meeting; Labour Minister presents inquiry details showing sterilisation failures, reuse of equipment at SESSI hospital IV Report KARACHI: The Sindh government has for the first time officially confirmed that lapses at Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital in Karachi led to HIV infections in 78 children, as 37 officers and officials were suspended and a Rs2 billion rehabilitation fund announced, according to details made available through an official hand after a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday. The outbreak at the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI)-run hospital first surfaced on October 23, 2025, when six HIV-positive cases were reported. Details of subsequent inquiries were presented to the CM by Labour Minister Saeed Ghani, assisted by subordinates from his department and SESSI executives. A probe headed by SESSI’s Medical Advisor found no standard operating procedures in the hospital’s Paediatrics ...
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Beyond blood safety

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                                                                                                   ST file photo Discarded infected blood units prove screening works, but also expose urgent gaps in disease prevention — surveillance, testing, and infection control — that public health can’t afford to ignore A report published in this paper revealed that 47,375 blood units collected in Sindh during 2025 had to be discarded after screening detected transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs), including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis and malaria. The figures showed that 5.7 per cent of screened donations — roughly one in every 20 units — were found unsafe for transfusion. There is reassurance in the fact that screening systems...
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PMA decries doctors' suspensions, health services outsourcing

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Association seeks security for doctors, rejects transfer of public healthcare facilities to NGOs and private institutions IV Report KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has voiced concern over the healthcare situation in Balochistan, condemning the suspension of doctors and opposing what it described as the outsourcing of public healthcare facilities and their budgets to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private institutions. In a statement issued after an emergent meeting of its Central Council at PMA House in Karachi on Sunday, the association said the transfer of public healthcare services to non-state entities undermined universal access to healthcare and weakened government accountability for essential health services. The meeting, presided over by PMA Centre President Dr Izhar Ahmed Chaudhary, also expressed grave concern over the Government of Balochistan's recent suspension of doctors, describing the action as harassment intended to suppress the l...
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How nuclear science is reshaping agriculture

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Prof Dr Intikhab Ulfat From pest control and crop improvement to water management and food safety, nuclear techniques are helping farmers meet the challenges of climate change and food security By Dr Intikhab Ulfat Nuclear technology is often associated with electricity generation and medical applications, yet its contribution to agriculture and food security is equally significant. At a time when climate change, water scarcity, pests, plant diseases, and declining productivity threaten global food systems, nuclear science is helping countries develop more resilient and sustainable agriculture. Through cooperation between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), nuclear techniques are increasingly being used to improve crop production, protect natural resources, and strengthen food security. The importance of these technologies is growing as agriculture faces unprecedented pressure from climate change, population growth, shrin...
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Karachi's poor liveability tied to health system gaps: PMA

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Association cites underfunded hospitals and worsening public health conditions, urges coordinated reforms IV Report KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has said Karachi's poor showing in the latest Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Global Liveability Index reflects longstanding weaknesses in the city's health system and other services that influence public health , urging authorities to prioritise reforms that improve residents' quality of life.                                                           ST file photo In a statement issued on Wednesday, the association said Karachi's position near the bottom of the global rankings highlighted persistent deficiencies affecting healthcare delivery and public wellbeing. The EIU Global Liveability Index assesses cities across five broad categories—stability, healthcare, culture ...
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Dow Hospital receives SHCC regular licence

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SHCC chief says quality standards must be sustained; recent HIV episode underscores importance of infection control IV Report KARACHI: Dow University Hospital has been awarded a Regular Licence by the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC), with officials of both institutions describing it as the first public-sector general hospital in Sindh to achieve the recognition for meeting the commission's prescribed standards for quality, patient safety and regulatory compliance. The licence was presented by SHCC Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahsan Qavi at a ceremony held at the Abdul Qadeer Khan Auditorium of Dow International Medical College's Ojha Campus. The event was attended by DUHS Vice Chancellor Prof Nazli Hossain, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Jehan Ara Hassan, Prof Sajida Qureshi and Prof Zahid Azam, faculty members and SHCC officials. Presenting the licence to Prof Jehan Ara Hassan, Dr Qavi said the award represented the beginning of a greater responsibility rather than the culm...
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KMC reestablishes two fire stations

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Gulistan-e-Johar station restored after 30 years; upgradation underway IV Report KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has reestablished two fire stations in Gulistan-e-Johar and Bolton Market as part of a citywide upgradation of emergency response infrastructure. Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, who inaugurated the facilities, said the move aims to strengthen Karachi’s firefighting capacity and reduce response time across densely populated areas. The Gulistan-e-Johar Fire Station has been restored after nearly three decades. Previously, the Gulshan Fire Station covered both Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Gulistan-e-Johar, straining resources. Wahab said the reestablished station will now share emergency response duties, easing pressure and improving coverage for surrounding localities. “Past fire incidents showed the need for stronger infrastructure, modern equipment, and better preparedness,” Wahab said during the ceremony. The reestablishment is part of a broader modern...
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