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HIV-affected children at Valika Hospital rise to 169

By Pakistan Desk September 25, 2026 Health & Education
HIV-affected

KARACHI: The number of children linked to the HIV outbreak at Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital has risen to 169, with 142 registered with medical boards formed to oversee their registration and support, hospital sources said Friday.

Five medical boards have so far been constituted to register affected children and address matters related to financial assistance and other support.

According to hospital sources, bank accounts have been opened for 109 affected children or families as part of efforts to provide financial assistance. Under an endowment fund established for affected families, financial assistance has begun for 76 families, with payments for two months already transferred.

However, 34 affected families are still awaiting financial assistance due to incomplete documentation and issues related to Benazir cards, sources said.

The HIV cases at the hospital have been under investigation for several months. The number of affected children was initially reported at 78 at the government level, but subsequent screening and testing led to an increase in the reported cases.

Nine deaths of HIV-affected children have so far been confirmed, although the hospital’s own records list only two deaths, resulting in a discrepancy in the reported fatalities. Families of the deceased have not yet received financial assistance from the endowment fund.

The issue of providing assistance to families of deceased children is expected to be discussed at an upcoming meeting, where officials may decide the amount and mechanism of financial support.

Several inquiries have been launched into the cases, while administrative action has also been taken against hospital staff. Show-cause notices have been issued to several employees, while doctors, dispensers and nursing staff have faced suspensions and other disciplinary measures.

Authorities have said affected children are being provided treatment, medicines, tests and other necessary facilities. However, the latest figures indicate that registration, financial assistance, discrepancies in death records and rehabilitation of affected families remain unresolved issues.