Imran Zakir
KARACHI: A second HIV outbreak has been reported at the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) Landhi Hospital, where 16 more children have tested positive for HIV following screening and confirmatory tests.
According to the hospital’s first internal inquiry report, prepared by Dr. Malika Baloch, the initial HIV case was identified in April 2025. However, despite the early detection, no effective precautionary measures or infection prevention and control programme was introduced by the SESSI administration to prevent further transmission.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Zafar Qayamkhani said the hospital had repeatedly requested the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) to take action against unqualified medical practitioners operating in the area but alleged that no effective action was taken. He suggested that the continued presence of such practitioners contributed to the public health risk.
The hospital administration, in collaboration with the Sindh AIDS Control Programme, established an HIV screening camp to identify additional infected children. Officials said the hospital serves an underprivileged population, making disease surveillance and preventive healthcare particularly challenging.
According to reliable sources, the newly reported infections have raised fresh concerns over infection control practices at SESSI hospitals. The sources alleged that long-standing administrative weaknesses and corruption within the institution have adversely affected healthcare standards over the past three decades, resulting in serious consequences for insured workers and their families.
The findings have intensified calls for an independent investigation into the outbreak, stricter infection control measures, and accountability for those responsible for lapses in patient safety.
