A alarming spike in HIV infections among Pakistani children has health experts at Islamabad’s premier medical institute sounding the alarm. Professionals from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) HIV Center highlight that while overall cases are climbing—mostly due to better testing—the presence of the virus in kids is particularly distressing.
Zubair Abdullah, from the national AIDS Control Program, notes the uptick at PIMS reflects more individuals seeking diagnosis, a step forward amid the chaos. Government records show 189 confirmations since late 2025, including 11 fresh ones this April. Adult men lead the tally, with transgender cases noted and children’s infections drawing sharp focus.
The root of pediatric spread traces to egregious failures at Punjab’s Taunsa THQ Hospital. An expose revealed nurses administering injections via dirty clothes, recycling syringes, and untrained aides drawing from tainted medicine bottles for successive young patients. Even after suspending the superintendent last March, violations persist: improper waste disposal, open needles, unsupervised volunteers, and supply-driven sharing of equipment.
From November 2024 to October 2025, over 330 Taunsa children tested positive, and parental screening showed significant positivity rates. Officials rebuff the evidence, alleging possible tampering. This scandal demands immediate federal intervention, bolstered training, supply chains, and public campaigns to prevent further tragedy in Pakistan’s vulnerable communities.
