Pakistan Court Orders Independent Probe Into HIV Outbreak at Karachi Hospital
Sindh High Court directs a comprehensive investigation into the deaths and infections among children, while ordering lifelong treatment and compensation for those affected.
KARACHI, Aug 13: A Pakistan court has ordered an independent and comprehensive investigation into an HIV outbreak at a Karachi hospital that reportedly killed six children and infected 94 others.
The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued the directive on Thursday while hearing a petition concerning the spread of HIV among children treated at the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI) run Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital in Karachi’s industrial area.
The outbreak came to light in November last year after health authorities began screening patients and residents in and around the hospital following concerns over HIV transmission.
According to screening conducted by the Sindh health department, six children died and 94 were found to be living with HIV. A further 120 infected individuals were identified in areas adjoining the hospital.
However, advocate Tariq Mansoor, who approached the SHC in May, claimed that the number of affected children could be close to 200.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Adnanul Karim Memon and Justice Muhammad Jaffer Raza directed the provincial chief secretary to establish an “independent, impartial and comprehensive” inquiry into the outbreak.
The panel is expected to determine the actual number of affected people, establish how and under what circumstances the virus was transmitted, and examine whether required infection-control measures were followed at the facility.
The court also directed the authorities to examine compliance with the Sindh Regulation and Control of Disposable Syringes Act, 2010.
Court Seeks Accountability
The bench noted that departmental investigations and reports presented before it had not adequately established the extent of the outbreak or identified the source of transmission.
It further observed that the material submitted so far had failed to determine the supervisory and individual responsibility of officials associated with the hospital and the relevant health authorities.
The court said an independent fact finding mechanism was necessary to ensure transparency, protect public confidence and serve the interests of justice. It clarified that the order did not imply any final conclusion about the guilt or innocence of any individual.
Treatment and Compensation Ordered
Alongside the inquiry, the SHC directed authorities to ensure lifelong medical treatment for children affected by the outbreak.
It also ordered appropriate compensation for those who suffered as a result of the HIV infections.
The court’s intervention comes amid concerns over whether existing departmental investigations were sufficient to determine the causes of the outbreak and establish accountability.
The bench also issued a show-cause notice to Mansoor concerning alleged disorderly conduct during the proceedings.
The independent inquiry is expected to provide a clearer account of the circumstances surrounding the infections and determine whether failures in medical practices or oversight contributed to the outbreak.
