Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Sindh Vice President Rizwan Niazi on Monday expressed deep concern over the confirmation of HIV infections among dozens of children at Karachi’s Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital, alleging that the incident reflected the Sindh government’s ‘gross incompetence, administrative failure and years of corruption’ in the province’s healthcare sector.
In a statement, Niazi said the infection of innocent children with a life-threatening disease was a tragedy that raised serious questions about the state of public healthcare in Sindh. He alleged that the provincial government had failed to fulfil its responsibility despite the gravity of the situation.
‘If children seeking treatment at government hospitals are no longer safe, then what confidence can the public have in the healthcare system?’ he said. ‘Billions of rupees are allocated to the health sector every year, yet the absence of basic safety protocols, quality medical equipment and effective oversight exposes the reality behind the government’s claims.’
The PTI leader said the issue was not confined to a single hospital but reflected the broader failure of the province’s healthcare system. He alleged that political interference, corruption and poor governance had pushed Sindh’s health sector into crisis, with ordinary citizens, particularly children, bearing the consequences.
Niazi demanded an independent, transparent and impartial investigation into the incident and called for legal action against all those found responsible, including doctors, hospital administrators and relevant officials. He said no influential individual should be considered above the law.
He further urged the authorities to provide affected children with immediate and free medical treatment, medicines, psychological support and financial assistance. He also called for an emergency audit of syringe use, blood transfusion procedures and other medical practices in both public and private hospitals across Sindh, along with the implementation of a strict monitoring mechanism to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Niazi said PTI Sindh stood with the affected families and would continue to raise its voice until those responsible for endangering the lives of innocent children were brought to justice.