Karachi: A local government representative from Karachi’s Pathan Colony has formally claimed that at least 70 children have been infected with HIV in the area and that five of them have died, but neither provincial nor federal AIDS control authorities have so far confirmed or denied these figures, according to an official letter sent to the federal health minister.
The claim has been made by Irshad Khan, Vice Chairman of Union Committee 01, Pathan Colony, Mir Bahar Town, in a written complaint addressed to Federal Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal. In the letter, dated December 22, 2025, the town official has sought urgent federal intervention, warning of what he described as an alarming and potentially expanding public health crisis affecting infants and young children.
In his letter, Irshad Khan stated that the alleged cases have emerged in NA-242, UC-01 Pathan Colony, an area falling within District Kemari. He claimed that a large number of children, ranging in age from a few months to around five years, had tested positive for HIV, while families had reported the deaths of at least five affected children.
Crucially, the vice chairman acknowledged in his written complaint that the figures cited by him had not been officially verified. He wrote that neither the Sindh AIDS Control Programme nor officials of the federal AIDS control setup had so far shared any confirmed data with the local administration, nor had they formally confirmed or rejected the reported number of cases and deaths.
According to the letter, the local administration repeatedly approached health authorities seeking details of HIV screening, test results and treatment arrangements, but no official data was provided. As a result, the town representative said, uncertainty and fear continued to prevail among residents, particularly parents of young children.
Irshad Khan attributed the suspected spread of HIV primarily to unsafe medical practices in the area. He alleged that untrained and unlicensed birth attendants, commonly referred to as dais, as well as quacks, were widely operating in Pathan Colony and nearby localities. These individuals, he claimed, were conducting deliveries and treating children using unhygienic methods and reused medical equipment.
The letter also levelled serious allegations against a government health facility. The vice chairman alleged that at the Sindh Employees Social Security Hospital, children were administered injections using the same syringes and non-sterile medical instruments, practices that could lead to the transmission of blood-borne infections such as HIV.
He claimed that records of 70 HIV-positive children were available with him and warned that the actual number of affected children could be higher, potentially exceeding 100. He further stated that the reports of five child deaths had been conveyed to him by affected families, who accused healthcare providers of negligence and unsafe treatment practices.
The letter noted that several children were currently admitted to various public and private hospitals in critical condition. However, it pointed out that there was no organised system in the area for large-scale HIV screening, early diagnosis or sustained treatment, leaving families confused and distressed.
In his appeal to the federal health minister, the vice chairman demanded the immediate establishment of HIV screening camps in Pathan Colony and surrounding areas. He also called for strict action against illegal clinics, quacks and untrained birth attendants, and sought free and quality treatment for all infected children. Legal action against those found responsible for negligence and unsafe practices was also requested.
Residents of Pathan Colony, according to the letter, have also urged the government to improve basic healthcare services in the area and to conduct mass screening to prevent further spread of the virus.
Health officials contacted said they were aware of the claims and the letter sent to the federal minister, but reiterated that no official confirmation of the numbers could be given at this stage. They said verification through proper epidemiological investigation, laboratory testing and coordination between provincial and federal authorities was essential before drawing conclusions.
Karachi has previously witnessed HIV outbreaks linked to unsafe injection practices, particularly among children, prompting health experts to repeatedly warn about the dangers of syringe reuse and poor infection control. Officials said any credible report of new infections would require urgent assessment to prevent a wider outbreak.
For now, the claims contained in the letter remain unverified, with health authorities yet to publicly confirm or deny the reported number of infections and deaths. Meanwhile, parents in the affected area continue to demand clarity, screening and immediate treatment for their children.
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