Karachi: The shadow of the Ratodero outbreak continues to haunt Sindh, where at least 329 children have been diagnosed with HIV between January and March 2026, reflecting systemic failures in infection prevention and patient safety.
Seven years after the devastating HIV outbreak in Ratodero in 2019, which infected hundreds of children and exposed glaring weaknesses in the healthcare system, the number of pediatric HIV cases in Sindh continues to rise at an alarming pace, according to officials in the Sindh Health Department.
Data available with vitalsnews reveals that of the 329 children diagnosed with HIV during the first three months of 2026, 188 are boys and 141 are girls under the age of 14. Health experts warn that the persistent increase in infections among minors indicates deep-rooted deficiencies in infection control across the province.
Overall, 894 people tested positive for HIV in Sindh between January and March 2026. These include 332 men, 204 women, 29 transgender individuals and 329 children. Officials and public health experts maintain that children in Sindh remain more vulnerable to HIV infection compared to other provinces due to unsafe healthcare practices and weak regulatory oversight.
A month-wise breakdown of cases highlights the continued spread of the virus. In January 2026, authorities recorded 294 new HIV infections, followed by 324 cases in February and 276 in March, underscoring the sustained burden of the disease in the province.
The Ratodero outbreak, first detected in April 2019 in Larkana district, had triggered national and international alarm after hundreds of children were infected with HIV due to unsafe medical practices. Despite repeated assurances of reforms, experts believe that critical gaps in infection prevention and control remain largely unaddressed.
Poor infection prevention and control measures are widely cited as the primary drivers behind the spread of HIV among children in Sindh, particularly in Karachi. Experts point to the reuse of intravenous drips, used cannulas and syringes, unsterilized medical equipment and the transfusion of unscreened blood as major contributors to new infections.
Healthcare professionals acknowledge that such unsafe practices persist in both public and private healthcare facilities. Weak enforcement of regulations and inadequate monitoring have allowed violations to continue, exposing thousands of patients—especially children—to preventable infections.
An infectious diseases specialist at a private healthcare facility in Karachi described the situation as deeply concerning. “We are witnessing a growing epidemic of HIV among children in Sindh. Each month, an alarming number of minors are being diagnosed with the virus, reflecting systemic failures in infection control and patient safety,” the expert said.
Referring to the nature of detection, the specialist added, “Most of these cases are diagnosed incidentally. When paediatricians encounter children with persistent infections, unexplained weight loss, or weakened immunity, they screen them for HIV. Tragically, in some instances, children succumb to complications of the infection without ever being diagnosed.”
The alarming trend gained further attention following the detection of around 100 HIV cases at the Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital in Karachi’s SITE area. In response, authorities suspended the entire paediatric department, and multiple inquiries were launched to determine the causes of the outbreak.
Despite these actions, officials concede that the spread of HIV has not been contained, with an average of three to four new cases being diagnosed daily across the province.
Public health experts warn that unless strict infection prevention protocols are enforced and unsafe medical practices are eliminated, Sindh may continue to witness recurring outbreaks similar to the Ratodero tragedy.
They emphasize the urgent need for routine screening of blood, strict sterilization of medical equipment, elimination of syringe reuse, and stronger oversight of healthcare facilities. Awareness campaigns, early diagnosis and improved surveillance are also considered essential to curb the spread of HIV among vulnerable populations, particularly children.
With hundreds of new infections continuing to surface each year, experts caution that the rising burden of pediatric HIV in Sindh serves as a stark reminder that systemic reforms promised after the Ratodero outbreak remain incomplete, leaving countless children at risk.
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