PMA seeks probe into Sindh HIV cases

Medical association raises concerns over suspected hospital-linked HIV cases and the growing burden of infections among children and other vulnerable populations.

IV Report

KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has called for an immediate judicial inquiry into suspected nosocomial (hospital-acquired) HIV infections allegedly linked to government-run healthcare facilities in Sindh, warning that the increasing number of HIV cases among the general population, including children, has become a matter of serious public concern.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the PMA expressed alarm over reports of HIV cases associated with treatment received at the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) Landhi Hospital and nearby regional clinics. The association described the situation as a “grave breach of public trust” and urged authorities to determine whether lapses in infection prevention and control contributed to the spread of the virus.

The PMA stated that hospitals are expected to provide safe care and that any transmission of blood-borne infections within healthcare settings would represent a serious failure of oversight, sterilisation practices, and patient safety standards.

It noted that the province has witnessed a worrying rise in HIV infections in recent years, including among children, underscoring the need for stronger surveillance and stricter adherence to infection-control protocols across public health facilities.

The association maintained that allegations of HIV transmission through unsafe injections, inadequately sterilised medical or dental instruments, or deficiencies in blood screening must be investigated independently and transparently.

Rejecting what it termed “routine departmental inquiries” as inadequate in cases involving public health and patient safety, the PMA demanded a high-level judicial inquiry headed by a sitting judge to examine systemic shortcomings, review procurement practices, and assess compliance with infection-control standards at municipal health institutions.

The PMA also demanded immediate, unannounced inspections of all local government and SESSI-run hospitals, accountability for any negligence identified, and comprehensive medical and psychosocial support for affected patients and their families.

Photo and data: Sindh CDC-HIV 

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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