Pakistan court orders HIV outbreak probe at Karachi hospital

The Sindh High Court has mandated the formation of an independent committee to probe a significant HIV outbreak affecting children at Karachi's Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital. The directive comes after the court found existing government reports and departmental proceedings insufficient to address the crisis.

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independent, impartial and comprehensive

A two-member bench, led by Justice Adnanul Karim Memon, issued the order while ruling on a plea seeking a comprehensive inquiry, legal action, and lifelong medical care for the affected children. The outbreak, initially reported late last year, has led to at least 78 confirmed HIV cases among children at the hospital, according to Sindh government data. However, Advocate Tariq Mansoor, representing the affected families, claims the number of infected children could be as high as 200.

The court highlighted critical gaps in the information provided, stating that current reports failed to adequately determine the number of affected individuals, the source and circumstances of transmission, adherence to infection-control protocols, and compliance with the Sindh Regulation and Control of Disposable Syringes Act, 2010. The bench emphasized the need for an "independent, impartial and comprehensive" inquiry to ensure justice, transparency, and public confidence, explicitly stating that this does not imply any prejudgment of guilt or innocence.

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insufficient to determine the number of affected persons, the source and circumstances of transmission, compliance with infection-control protocols and the Sindh Regulation and Control of Disposable Syringes Act, 2010, as well as the supervisory and individual responsibility of the officials concerned

The committee, to be headed by the Sindh chief secretary, will include two senior officers (BS-20 or above) with no direct administrative involvement in the hospital's affairs. Its mandate includes identifying all HIV-positive patients treated at the hospital during the relevant period, determining the transmission source and methods, investigating the reuse or improper disposal of medical equipment, assessing infection-prevention protocols, and examining the procurement and use of syringes. The court stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing this public health crisis.

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in the interest of justice, transparency and public confidence that an independent fact-finding mechanism be constituted by the competent authority, without expressing any final opinion regarding the guilt or innocence of any individual