KARACHI: Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) Commis­­sioner Hadi Baksh Kalhoro has said that HIV screening is currently underway at all hospitals operating under the institution, with particular focus on outpatients, admitted patients and children.

In a statement released on Sunday, the official said that SESSI was collecting records of all OPD and admitted patients treated at its hospitals since January 2025.

He added that if any patient treated during this period was found to be HIV-positive, an inquiry would be conducted to determine the causes of the infection and identify any individuals who might be held responsible.

Kalhoro said the Sindh Health Department and the Sindh Labour Department were jointly conducting HIV screening not only at SESSI-run hospitals but also across all government hospitals in the province.

The commissioner said a four-month-old baby brought to SESSI’s Landhi Hospital tested HIV-positive during routine screening in the Outpatient Department (OPD).

Following the child’s diagnosis, the mother was also screened and tested positive for HIV, he said, adding that when staff attempted to collect a blood sample from the child’s father, he left the hospital without undergoing the examination.

He said that screening of 2,000 people in and around Landhi Hospital had so far identified 10 HIV-positive cases.

Meanwhile, at and around Valika Hospital, 120 children and adults had been confirmed HIV-positive out of 10,000 individuals screened to date.

The commissioner said all SESSI hospitals and dispensaries continued to provide comprehensive healthcare services to both OPD and admitted patients.

He added that detailed records of every child diagnosed with HIV, along with their family members, were being compiled to ensure they received comprehensive medical treatment and welfare support.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2026