Karachi: The medical superintendent of Kulsoom Bai Valika Social Security Site Hospital has been relieved of the post after he sought removal, saying he had faced public humiliation and abuse during an official visit amid the hospital’s handling of an HIV outbreak that has affected more than 120 people, mostly children.
Dr Muhammad Ghayasuddin, a general surgeon who had been given additional charge as medical superintendent in February this year, said he had accepted the assignment to help stabilise the hospital after the emergence of HIV cases, particularly among paediatric patients.
In a written request to the SESSI commissioner, Dr Ghayasuddin said he had served the institution for over 24 years and took charge as medical superintendent on February 13, 2026, despite his academic and professional responsibilities as a surgeon, CPSP supervisor and examiner.
He said the hospital was facing an “extremely critical situation” after the HIV outbreak, requiring treatment, follow-up and overall care of affected patients. According to his letter, he had tried to introduce a payment mechanism for HIV-affected patients through an advance-cheque system, coordinate with specialists and relevant organisations for infection-prevention training, and strengthen counselling and clinical management services.
Dr Ghayasuddin said the situation took a distressing turn during a July 23 visit by the provincial ombudsman, when parents of HIV-affected children and other people from the surrounding locality gathered at the hospital in the presence of media personnel.
He said some participants raised abusive slogans, causing serious harm to his personal dignity, professional reputation and the institution’s prestige. He maintained that the incident had adversely affected him mentally and professionally and discouraged him from continuing as medical superintendent.
“I accepted this assignment solely for the welfare of HIV-affected patients,” he said in the letter, requesting that he be allowed to return to his substantive post as general surgeon.
SESSI accepted the request through an August 20 office order. Dr Zafar Ali Qaimkhani, previously medical superintendent of Social Security Landhi Hospital, has been posted as medical superintendent of KVSS Hospital in place of Dr Ghayasuddin, who will continue as general surgeon at the Valika hospital.
The same order appointed Dr Jagmal, previously chief medical officer at SESSI Site Circle, as medical superintendent of Social Security Landhi Hospital. Dr Zaheer Abbas Khawaja has been posted as chief medical officer, Site Circle.
The order contains no allegation of misconduct against Dr Ghayasuddin and does not describe his removal as disciplinary action. Rather, it follows his own request to be relieved after the July incident.
The change of medical superintendent comes at a sensitive time for the Valika hospital, where HIV screening identified more than 120 positive cases. The cluster prompted grave concern among affected families, public-health experts and rights activists over possible lapses in injection safety, infection prevention and medical-waste handling.
A follow-up inspection by the Sindh Healthcare Commission did not establish definitive evidence of reuse of syringes or needles at the hospital. It nevertheless found serious deficiencies in the handling and disposal of sharps and medical waste, including recapped needles, used capped syringes in treatment areas and inadequate records for waste collection, transport and destruction.
The commission said these lapses required further inquiry, as they could create risks of unsafe handling, misuse, recycling or sale of used injection equipment.
The Sindh High Court has also ordered a chief secretary-led independent inquiry into the Valika HIV cluster and directed authorities to ensure free and uninterrupted treatment for affected children and other patients.
While Dr Jagmal has been appointed to lead Landhi Hospital, not Valika Hospital, the available order and Dr Ghayasuddin’s letter contain no assessment of Dr Jagmal’s professional suitability. Any such assertion would require independently verifiable evidence or an on-record position from SESSI or relevant health authorities.
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