Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Pakistan Children Contract HIV After Routine Hospital Care
Dozens of families in Pakistan say their children became infected with HIV after visiting a hospital for ordinary medical care.
At least six children have reportedly died.
The families blame workers at Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital in Karachi.
They say staff reused syringes and IV needles.
One mother, Aftab, says the same injections were given to several patients.
She says her children later tested positive for HIV.
A father, Syed Mehtab Shah, says he saw a nurse take a syringe from a trash can and use it again.
The account was reported by NPR, but the information provided does not include a response from the hospital.
Dozens of Pakistani parents say their children contracted HIV after receiving routine hospital care.
At least six of the affected children have died.
Families accuse staff at Karachi’s government-run Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital of reusing syringes and IV needles.
Aftab says she saw the same injections given to three or four patients from different families.
Syed Mehtab Shah says he saw a nurse take a syringe from a trash can and reuse it.
- Who
- Dozens of children and their families; staff at Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital are accused by the families.
- What
- Children reportedly tested positive for HIV after routine hospital care, and at least six died.
- When
- The specific timing is not stated.
- Where
- Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.
- Why
- Families blame alleged reuse of syringes and IV needles, though the account does not establish the cause independently.
- Reported infections
- Dozens of children reportedly tested positive for HIV.
- Reported deaths
- At least six affected children have died.
- Hospital
- Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital.
- Hospital type
- Government-run facility.
- Location
- Karachi, Pakistan.
- Families’ allegation
- Staff reused syringes and IV needles.
- Source
- The account was reported by NPR.