The Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) has approved the establishment of a Rs2 billion endowment fund to provide long-term medical treatment and welfare support for children affected by HIV following the reported cases at the SESSI-run Valika Hospital.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the SESSI Governing Body on Wednesday, chaired by Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resources and Social Security and SESSI Chairman Saeed Ghani. The meeting also reviewed the institution’s proposed budget for the financial year 2026–27 and the revised budget for 2025–26.
According to an official statement issued after the meeting, Governing Body members discussed the proposed budget in detail and suggested several amendments while expressing reservations over certain aspects of the revised budget. In view of these observations, the meeting was adjourned and will reconvene on 17 July to finalise the budget.
A substantial part of the meeting focused on the HIV cases detected among children treated at Valika Hospital. The Governing Body unanimously approved the creation of the Rs2 billion endowment fund, which will be used to ensure the affected children receive the highest standard of medical care and to finance welfare initiatives for them and their families.
The Governing Body also reviewed the findings of an inquiry committee constituted in compliance with directions issued by the Provincial Ombudsman. Expressing satisfaction with the committee’s report, the members endorsed disciplinary action against 37 doctors and paramedical staff, including the ratification of their suspensions and the issuance of show-cause notices.
Addressing the meeting, Saeed Ghani said the government was carryingout a transparent investigation and that no individual found responsible would be granted any concession, irrespective of rank or position.
He said he had ordered the formation of an inquiry committee immediately after receiving the first report of the incident in October 2025. At that time, only a limited number of cases had been identified, but the government subsequently directed that all children be screened, resulting in HIV infection being confirmed in 78 children so far.
The minister said investigators had also been directed to establish whether the infections had occurred during the relevant period or earlier, while enquiries were underway against all doctors, paramedical staff and officials who were on duty when the incidents are believed to have taken place.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, Ghani described the incident as a major tragedy and said the Sindh government would continue to stand by the affected children and their families, ensuring that they received both justice and every possible medical and welfare support.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Labour Secretary Sajid Jamal Abro; SESSI Commissioner Hadi Bakhsh Kalhoro; Governing Body members Abdul Jabbar Memon, Khalil Baloch, Muhammad Khan Abro, Zahra Khan, Mukhtiar Ahmed Awan and Abdul Wahid Shoro; Medical Adviser Kamran Awan; Dr Saadat Memon; along with senior SESSI officials.
