KARACHI Press Club came into the limelight once again as scores of families protested against the widespread transmission of HIV among their children, demanding accountability from the authorities. At least nine children died and hundreds were infected with HIV due to unsafe practices at a government hospital. Parents described their lives as unbearable, citing their children’s suffering and the social stigma that has torn families apart and denied children access to education. The tragedy has been widely condemned as a preventable, man-made epidemic. Health specialists demand declaration of country-wide health emergency as spread of HIV has surged to 200 percent in two decades as per WHO. A major reason behind such increase in numbers is poor management of health system. The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the Sindh Secretary of Health and the provincial police chief, demanding detailed, para-wise reports regarding the outbreak and alleged gross medical negligence. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal says Pakistan has 84,000 registered HIV cases, with many untracked. Experts believe the real number is much higher. The epidemic worsens due to poor infection control and unsafe syringe reuse, causing frequent outbreaks—even in young children after clinic visits.

The World Health Organization and UNAIDS warn that Pakistan faces one of Asia’s fastest-growing HIV epidemics. At the same time, Pakistan leads globally in hepatitis C cases, with around 10 million affected. These intertwined crises stem from........

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