Families Press Sindh High Court for Accountability in Massive HIV Infection Case

The Sindh High Court has taken up a petition filed by the relatives of 78 children who were allegedly infected with HIV at a state‑run hospital. The families claim that the reuse of single‑use syringes led to the spread of the virus, and they have been staging demonstrations for months demanding justice.

In their filing, the petitioners highlighted that over 200 children may have been exposed due to the alleged malpractice, with nine confirmed deaths among the victims. The court responded by directing the provincial government to present a detailed findings report within fourteen days.

The court's intervention comes at a time when Pakistan is grappling with a rise in pediatric HIV cases. Health department data for the first quarter of the year shows that out of 894 new HIV diagnoses in the province, 329 were children.

The directive is expected to trigger a forensic audit of medical supplies, staff interviews, and a review of patient treatment records, potentially leading to criminal charges against those found responsible.