At least 130 people, predominantly children, have tested HIV-positive in connection with an outbreak originating at a government-run hospital in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city. The number of infections has significantly increased in recent weeks, raising alarms about public health protocols.

This latest cluster of cases at the Kulsum Bai Valika (KBV) Hospital, operated by the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI), is not an isolated incident. Experts point to a pattern of systemic failures in infection prevention and control that have led to similar outbreaks in Pakistan's Sindh province in the past, highlighting ongoing challenges in the healthcare system.

Officials confirmed that over 10,500 individuals were screened in and around the KBV Hospital, with 120 testing positive. An additional 10 cases were identified at another SESSI facility in Karachi’s Landhi area. SESSI is a provincial organization responsible for providing healthcare to industrial and commercial workers and their dependents.

Two internal inquiries into the KBV Hospital outbreak revealed serious lapses, including poor adherence to infection prevention protocols, inadequate use of protective equipment, and improper handling of single-use syringes. The first inquiry, submitted last November, identified 16 HIV-positive children linked to the hospital's pediatrics department. A more comprehensive inquiry submitted in June confirmed 78 infections and six deaths, assigning responsibility to hospital staff for administrative and supervisory failures.

Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani stated that all confirmed cases were linked to exposure prior to October 2025. He indicated that screening efforts would continue, acknowledging the possibility of further infections emerging. The minister also announced that 37 doctors and hospital staff have been issued show-cause notices and given 14 days to respond, with criminal cases and dismissals anticipated for those found responsible.

The crisis at KBV Hospital first gained public attention in November 2025 when local residents noticed a cluster of infections among children treated there. However, officials trace the initial reports of HIV-positive cases to October 2025, when the first six were reported to the provincial health department.

This outbreak echoes previous incidents in Sindh, including one in Ratodero in 2019, where an estimated 600 children were diagnosed with HIV. Investigations at that time also pointed to unsafe medical practices, such as the reuse of syringes and substandard screening procedures, as primary causes.

The recurring nature of these outbreaks underscores persistent challenges in Pakistan's public health infrastructure, particularly concerning the safe administration of medical services and the rigorous training and supervision of healthcare professionals. Unresolved questions remain regarding the full extent of the current outbreak and the long-term measures that will be implemented to prevent future occurrences.