Karachi: HIV screening at two hospitals run by the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) in Karachi has detected 141 positive cases, including 120 at Valika Hospital and 21 during a subsequent screening exercise at Landhi Hospital, provincial authorities told a Senate committee on Thursday.
The meeting of Senate Standing Committee on health was held with Chairman Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti in the chair who expressed grave concern over the rising HIV cases, particularly in Sindh, and sought a detailed briefing from provincial authorities on the Valika Hospital incident, action against those responsible and measures to prevent further infections. He also directed the concerned ministries and organisations to submit progress reports before the committee’s next meeting.
Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani told the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination that more than 10,500 people had been screened at Valika Hospital and surrounding communities after HIV cases surfaced at the facility, with 120 testing positive.
Of them, 81 were children of registered SESSI employees, while 39 had no affiliation with registered employees. The Sindh government, he said, had accepted responsibility for treatment and care of all the affected children.
The minister said screening was subsequently expanded to SESSI’s Landhi Hospital, despite no HIV cases having initially been reported there. More than 7,500 admitted patients, outpatient visitors and residents of surrounding localities were screened, resulting in the detection of 21 HIV-positive cases.
He said those diagnosed during the Landhi screening had no previous treatment history at the hospital. He added that investigations had identified external factors behind some infections, but did not elaborate on those factors or say whether any cases were linked to healthcare practices at Landhi Hospital.
The disclosure points to the need for sustained HIV surveillance and wider screening in Karachi’s vulnerable communities, where delayed diagnosis, unsafe healthcare practices and weak regulation of unqualified practitioners have repeatedly been cited as major concerns.
Saeed Ghani said two inquiries into the Valika Hospital incident had been conducted and final show-cause notices issued to 37 doctors, paramedics and other officials on the recommendations of inquiry committees. He said those found guilty of criminal negligence would face departmental action as well as registration of FIRs.
Senator Nasir Mehmood Butt questioned why FIRs had not yet been registered against those responsible, while Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan sought accountability for administrative shortcomings. Ghani said the findings of the inquiries had not been made public due to security considerations.
The chief executive officer of the Sindh Healthcare Commission told the committee that FIRs had been registered against several quacks, but weaknesses in the law allowed many accused to obtain bail soon after arrest. He said amendments were being proposed to strengthen action against illegal medical practitioners.
The commission has only around 170 officials across Sindh, according to its chief executive, prompting senators to question whether it had sufficient capacity to regulate the province’s vast network of public and private health facilities.
The Sindh health secretary assured the committee that additional human resources would be provided to the commission whenever formally requested. Members also raised concerns over its governance structure, noting that the provincial health department had limited administrative control over the commission’s board and chief executive.
Ghani said SESSI had established a Rs2 billion endowment fund to support families affected by HIV. An independent oversight committee comprising eminent persons would supervise the fund, he added.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal proposed that the Senate committee dedicate a future meeting exclusively to HIV and population issues. Senators also called for a nationwide awareness campaign, including appropriate education on sexual and reproductive health for young people.
The committee also discussed medicine prices, with the chairman warning of stronger regulation if pharmaceutical companies did not rationalise profit margins. He said the Competition Commission was examining the matter.
It reviewed MDCAT issues, decided to visit PMDC and noted complaints about its poor response to students.
The committee also took up low stipends for trainee doctors at Sobhraj Maternity Hospital and directed the health ministry to resolve the issue. Revision of stipends is awaiting the prime minister’s approval.
Ends