Sindh is grappling with an alarming surge in new HIV cases among children, with major healthcare facilities across the province reporting three to four new pediatric infections every week. Infectious disease experts and clinicians at institutions including AKUH, IHHN, and SICHN have confirmed a sharp and unusual increase in detections.
#HIV cases in Sindh on the rise amongst children #infectiousdiseases https://t.co/dEU6nKHoIS
— Zubair Faisal Abbasi (@zubairabbasi) November 18, 2025
The deepening concern follows a recent outbreak at the Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital, where more than 18 HIV-positive children, mostly from Pathan Colony in SITE Town, were identified this month. Data from the Aga Khan University Hospital shows 29 pediatric HIV cases recorded between January and October, with monthly figures spiking sharply in September and October. Experts suggest the rise in detections may be linked to the ongoing pneumonia season, as many severely malnourished children admitted with pneumonia are now being screened for HIV.
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Facilities are now actively screening every child who presents with recurring symptoms commonly associated with HIV, such as persistent fever, severe pneumonia unresponsive to routine treatment, chronic diarrhea, and severe malnutrition.
Screening data from the Sindh Institute of Child Health & Neonatology (SICHN) revealed 12 positive cases out of 476 children screened across several districts recently. However, healthcare staff are reporting difficulties in obtaining reliable, WHO-pre-qualified screening kits, warning that the limited supply could lead to missed cases. Despite the rising crisis, the provincial government’s HIV program has yet to issue a public statement on the recent surge.
