120 HIV Positive Cases Found After Mass Screening at Valika Hospital, 21 More Cases Detected in Landhi Hospital.

The Sindh Labour and Human Resources Minister Saeed Ghani announced that an extensive HIV screening was carried out at all hospitals run by the Sindh Employees' Social Security Institution (SESSI). The screening was part of the Health Department's Communicable Disease Control programme. The screening at Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital in Landhi yielded 120 positive results. Of these, 81 were children of registered SESSI employees and 39 had no affiliation with the institution. The findings prompted final show‑cause notices to 37 doctors, paramedics and officials. Those found guilty of criminal negligence may face departmental action and criminal proceedings. A separate test in and around Valika Hospital involved 10,500 people and produced the same 120 positives. In the adjoining Landhi area, 7,500 people were tested and 21 new positive cases were detected. The patients had no prior hospital history, which suggests external sources of infection in some cases. Minister Ghani said a committee of leading doctors and hospitals is being formed. A Rs2 billion endowment fund under SESSI will provide treatment for affected families, to be managed by an independent body to ensure transparency. The department stresses responsibility for all affected children and continues to monitor the situation.