Total HIV cases among children rise to 80 as preteen, toddler test positive at Karachi’s KBV hospital | The Express Tribune

The total number of confirmed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections linked to the transmission incident in Karachi’s Kulsum Bai Valika (KBV) Hospital rose to 80 as two more girls contracted the disease, according to the hospital receipts seen by The Express Tribune.

Last week, Sindh Labour Minister and Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) Chairman Saeed Ghani confirmed HIV infection in 78 children. The emergence of two new cases furthered the tally to at least 80.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the father of a nine-year-old girl whose HIV infection was confirmed on Friday, said all three of his children had tested positive for the virus.

He said his three-year-old and 12-year-old sons tested positive for HIV a few months ago, while his nine-year-old daughter has now also been diagnosed with the virus.

The father said his daughter was admitted to KBV Hospital towards the end of 2025 for treatment of a chest infection.

Read: SHC demands ‘comprehensive’ report from Sindh govt in 2 weeks over reported Karachi hospital HIV outbreak

“As her condition deteriorated, doctors recommended an HIV test, which returned positive,” he lamented, adding that now three of his children were living with the disease, causing the entire family to live under immense emotional and psychological strain.

The second case of HIV involved a three-year-old girl from Metroville Colony.

Her father told The Express Tribune that his daughter also received treatment at KBV Hospital before being diagnosed HIV positive.

“My daughter underwent a series of medical examinations before the doctors recommended an HIV test,” he explained.

He said the toddler’s health worsened with time and she was eventually tested HIV-positive.

The parents called for a comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigation into the incident and demanded strict legal action against those found responsible.

Both parents also urged the authorities to conduct immediate HIV screening for all children who received treatment at the KBV Hospital so that infections were identified without delay.

Read more: 3-year-old tests HIV-positive

Residents of Zia Colony and Metroville Colony also voiced their concerns to The Express Tribune as people rely on the SESSI-administered government hospital for healthcare.

On July 3, the Sindh High Court had directed the provincial government to submit a detailed report within a fortnight in response to a petition alleging that over 200 children of industrial workers contracted HIV and nine died due to negligence at KBV Hospital in Karachi.

Following public outcry, the governing body of the SESSI approved the establishment of a Rs2 billion endowment fund for the treatment and welfare of children affected by HIV on July 9. The decision was taken during a budget meeting chaired by SESSI Chairman Saeed Ghani.

According to officials, the fund will be used to ensure quality medical treatment and support for affected children and their families, amid growing concerns over HIV cases reported at the Valika Hospital.