KARACHI: HIV screening at two Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) hospitals in Karachi detected 141 positive cases, including 120 at Valika Hospital and 21 during a subsequent exercise at Landhi Hospital, a Senate committee was told on Thursday.
The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination met under Chairman Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti who expressed grave concern over rising HIV cases, particularly in Sindh. He sought a briefing on the Valika Hospital incident, action against those responsible and preventive measures, and directed authorities to submit progress reports before the next meeting.
Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani said more than 10,500 people had been screened at Valika Hospital and surrounding communities after HIV cases emerged there, with 120 testing positive. Of them, 81 were children of registered SESSI employees, while 39 had no affiliation with registered employees. He said the Sindh government had accepted responsibility for treatment and care of all the affected children. Screening was later expanded to SESSI’s Landhi Hospital despite no HIV cases initially being reported there. More than 7,500 admitted patients, outpatients and residents of nearby localities were screened, with 21 testing positive.
Ghani said those diagnosed during the Landhi screening had no previous treatment history at the hospital. Investigations had identified external factors in some infections, he added, without elaborating or linking any cases to healthcare practices at Landhi Hospital.
Ghani said two inquiries into the Valika Hospital incident had been conducted and final show-cause notices issued to 37 doctors, paramedics and other officials. Those found guilty of criminal negligence would face departmental action and FIRs, he added.
Senator Nasir Mehmood Butt questioned why FIRs had not yet been registered, while Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan sought accountability for administrative shortcomings. Ghani said inquiry findings had not been made public due to security considerations.
The Sindh Healthcare Commission chief executive said FIRs had been registered against several quacks, but legal weaknesses enabled many accused to secure bail soon after arrest. Amendments were being proposed to strengthen action against illegal practitioners, he said.
The commission has around 170 officials across Sindh, raising questions over its capacity to regulate public and private health facilities. The Sindh health secretary said additional staff would be provided whenever formally requested, while members also raised concerns over the commission’s governance and accountability.
Ghani said SESSI had established a Rs2 billion endowment fund for affected families, to be supervised by an independent oversight committee.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal proposed a separate committee meeting on HIV and population issues. Senators also called for a nationwide awareness campaign, including appropriate sexual and reproductive health education for young people.
The committee also discussed medicine prices, with the chairman warning of stronger regulation if pharmaceutical companies did not rationalise profit margins. He said the Competition Commission was examining the matter. It reviewed MDCAT issues, decided to visit PMDC and noted complaints about its poor response to students.
The committee also took up low stipends for trainee doctors at Sobhraj Maternity Hospital and directed the health ministry to resolve the issue as revision of stipends is awaiting the prime minister’s approval.
