ISLAMABAD: Sindh’s Mirpurkhas district is witnessing a sharp rise in paediatric HIV cases, with 150 children testing positive in 2024 alone, signaling an alarming health crisis. Officials warn that the district is fast becoming “another Larkana” in terms of child HIV infections.
Mirpurkhas now accounts for over 26% of the 568 paediatric HIV cases reported across Sindh last year. On average, 48 children were diagnosed with HIV each month in the province, raising serious concerns among health authorities.
HIV Cases on the Rise Across Sindh
According to official data, Sindh recorded 568 paediatric HIV cases in 2024. Among them, Mirpurkhas reported 78 boys and 72 girls testing positive. Other districts with high cases include:
- Larkana: 87 cases (52 boys, 35 girls)
- Shikarpur: 46 cases (27 boys, 19 girls)
- Hyderabad: 61 cases (36 boys, 25 girls)
- Jacobabad: 38 cases (23 boys, 15 girls)
Sindh remains the second most HIV-affected province in Pakistan, reporting 3,446 new cases in 2024, including 1,811 men, 813 women, 254 transgender persons, and 568 children. The province saw an average of 287 new HIV cases per month, with children making up a significant portion of new diagnoses.
Unsafe Medical Practices Fueling HIV Spread
Experts attribute the surge in paediatric HIV cases to poor Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures. The reuse of syringes and IV drips by unqualified practitioners in rural Sindh remains a major cause of transmission.
“When we test parents of these children, most are HIV-negative, as are their siblings. This strongly suggests that unsafe injection practices and poor IPC are driving infections among children,” explained Dr Faisal Mehmood, head of infectious diseases at Aga Khan University Hospital.
Karachi Remains the Most Affected Urban Center
Karachi recorded 969 new HIV cases in 2024, with the highest numbers reported in:
- South Karachi: 184 cases
- Malir: 164 cases
- Central: 157 cases
- East: 151 cases
- Korangi: 134 cases
- West: 112 cases
- Keamari: 67 cases
Echoes of the 2019 Larkana Outbreak
The rising number of HIV-positive children in Mirpurkhas is reminiscent of the 2019 Larkana outbreak, where over 900 children were infected due to unsafe medical practices. Experts fear that without urgent intervention, Mirpurkhas could face a similar health catastrophe.
Public health officials stress the need for strict regulations on medical practices, widespread screening programs, and better infection control measures to prevent further spread. Without immediate action, HIV cases among children in Sindh could spiral out of control, worsening an already dire public health crisis.
