KARACHI: Amid growing concern over the HIV outbreaks, affecting nearly hundred children at two government-run hospitals in Karachi, Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani held an important meeting with labour leaders on Thursday, where he promised a series of measures to rebuild their trust and clear up public doubts about the government competency in handling the crisis and meeting needs of the affected children and their families.

The meeting came after the government admitted that more than 90 children have so far been tested positive for HIV/AIDS at two Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI)-run hospitals, linking the crisis to the absence of infection control protocols at the hospitals, including the reuse of contaminated syringes.

The delegation of labour organisations included representatives of Pakistan Institute of Labour, Education and Rese­arch, National Trade Union Federation, Peoples’ Labour Bureau, Workers’ Education and Research Organisation, Interna­tional Union of Food, Home-Based Women Workers’ Federa­tion, State Bank Democratic Workers’ Federation and Karachi Union of Journalists.

During the meeting, labour leaders voiced serious concerns over the spread of HIV among children at Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital (KBVH) and a Landhi hospital — both operating under SESSI.

Minister Ghani assures labour leaders of measures to rebuild public trust

They demanded a thorough and transparent investigation and called for strict action against all those found responsible, without discrimination.

They also expressed full confidence in Minister Saeed Ghani, saying that they believed he would mobilise every available resource to ensure quality treatment and welfare of the affected children and their families.

In his response, Ghani said he had been personally monitoring the issue since it first surfaced in October 2025 and had kept the Sindh chief minister fully informed of every development.

He assured labour representatives that both he and the Sindh labour department were closely monitoring every aspect of the situation and that the affected children and their families would not be left to face the crisis alone.

“The ongoing inquiry would be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. Anyone found responsible would face both departmental disciplinary proceedings and criminal prosecution under the relevant laws,” he assured the delegation.

He also shared that a high-level standing committee comprising some of Pakistan’s leading infectious disease specialists, healthcare institutions and international organisations would be formed to oversee the treatment of the affected children.

The committee, he said, would include representatives from Aga Khan University Hospital, Indus Hospital, Sindh Healthcare Commission, World Health Organisation and other experts in HIV management.

The minister reiterated that the Rs2 billion SESSI endowment fund had been created to safeguard the welfare of the affected families and this fund, he assured the attendees, could be expanded, if necessary.

In addition, the minister pointed out, an independent and autonomous committee comprising respectable members of civil society would be established to oversee the endowment fund and ensure complete transparency and accountability.

On the ongoing HIV/AIDS screening measures the government has taken, Ghani said the government would not halt HIV screening despite concerns that expanded testing could result in the identification of more cases.

“We will not stop the screening process under any circumstances because we do not want anyone living with HIV without knowing their condition,” he observed.

SESSI Commissioner Hadi Bux Kalhoro, Focal Person Dr Saadat Memon, SESSI governing body members Muhammad Khan Abro, Nasir Mansoor, Zehra Khan were also present during the meeting.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026