Karachi: Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) has approved the establishment of a Rs. 2 billion endowment fund for the long-term treatment, care and welfare of children infected with HIV after receiving treatment at the SESSI-run Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital in Karachi’s SITE area, where 78 children have so far been confirmed HIV-positive.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the SESSI Governing Body held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Sindh Labour, Human Resources and Social Security Minister Saeed Ghani, who also heads the institution. The meeting reviewed the proposed budget for 2026–27 and the revised budget for 2025–26, but the budget approval was deferred until July 17 after members raised objections and suggested amendments.
According to an officials, the Governing Body unanimously approved the Rs2 billion endowment fund to ensure uninterrupted medical treatment for the affected children and support welfare measures for them and their families.
The Valika Hospital HIV outbreak has emerged as one of the most serious healthcare-linked infection control scandals in Sindh in recent years, with allegations that unsafe injection practices, possible reuse of syringes and serious lapses in infection prevention may have contributed to the spread of HIV among children treated at the facility.
The Governing Body also reviewed the findings of an inquiry committee constituted on the directions of the Provincial Ombudsman and expressed satisfaction over its report. It endorsed disciplinary action against 37 doctors and paramedical staff, including ratification of suspensions and issuance of show-cause notices.
Officials said the disciplinary process would cover doctors, paramedical staff and administrative officials who were posted at the hospital during the period when the infections are believed to have occurred.
Speaking at the meeting, Saeed Ghani said the government was conducting a transparent investigation and that no person found responsible would be given any concession, regardless of rank or position.
He said he had ordered the formation of an inquiry committee immediately after receiving the first report of the incident in October 2025. At that stage, only a few cases had been identified, but the government later ordered screening of all children who had received treatment at the hospital, after which HIV infection was confirmed in 78 children.
The minister said investigators had also been asked to determine whether all infections occurred during the relevant period at the hospital or whether some children had acquired the infection earlier. He said inquiries were under way against all officials and healthcare workers who were on duty during the period under investigation.
The case has already reached the Sindh High Court, where the provincial government was recently directed to submit an explanation regarding the reported outbreak at the SESSI-run hospital. A petitioner has sought an independent inquiry, criminal proceedings where warranted, lifelong treatment and compensation for the affected children.
SESSI officials said the newly approved endowment fund would be used to provide the best available medical care, follow-up testing, medicines and welfare support to the affected families, many of whom belong to low-income worker households covered by the social security system.
Public health experts have repeatedly warned that HIV outbreaks linked to unsafe injections, poor sterilisation and weak infection prevention practices remain a major threat in Pakistan, where unnecessary injections, informal healthcare providers and poor regulation of clinical settings have previously contributed to outbreaks, including among children.
The Valika Hospital case has raised fresh questions about infection control standards at public-sector and semi-autonomous healthcare facilities, availability of disposable medical supplies, supervision of paediatric services and accountability mechanisms within SESSI hospitals.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Labour Secretary Sajid Jamal Abro, SESSI Commissioner Hadi Bakhsh Kalhoro, Governing Body members Abdul Jabbar Memon, Khalil Baloch, Muhammad Khan Abro, Zahra Khan, Mukhtiar Ahmed Awan and Abdul Wahid Shoro, Medical Adviser Kamran Awan, Dr Saadat Memon and senior SESSI officials.
Ghani said the incident was a major tragedy and the Sindh government would not abandon the affected children or their families. He said the government would ensure both justice and every possible medical and welfare support for them.