Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho has revealed that HIV (AIDS) cases in the province have reached an alarming level, with 3,995 children confirmed to be infected so far.
Dr. Azra Pechuho stated that HIV is spreading rapidly in Sindh, and the situation has become extremely concerning. So far, 3,995 children across the province have been diagnosed with AIDS.
The Health Minister presided over an important meeting regarding the rising number of HIV cases. Officials informed her that more than 600,000 fake doctors are operating in Sindh, nearly 40 percent of whom are based in Karachi.
According to officials, the major causes of HIV spread include unsafe medical practices, illegal clinics, substandard blood banks, reuse of syringes and razors, contaminated injections, sale of hospital waste, and unsterilized dental equipment.
The provincial health minister directed all SSPs and deputy commissioners to immediately shut down illegal medical centers and take decisive action against quack doctors.
She also ordered mandatory screening of pregnant women to prevent mother to child transmission of the virus.
Dr. Pechuho instructed the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) and police to ensure that sealed medical centers are not reopened.
She further directed that the sale of hospital waste be stopped immediately, a list of all licensed blood banks be issued, and unregistered blood banks be closed without delay.
The Sindh Health Minister warned that poor blood screening practices can prove dangerous, while unsafe dentistry, substandard circumcision procedures, and contact with contaminated waste particularly endanger thousands of child waste pickers.
Dr. Azra Pechuho emphasized that drug users and other vulnerable groups should not be harassed but instead supported through awareness and preventive efforts, as they deserve treatment and protection, not exploitation.
She instructed the SHCC to strengthen district-level monitoring systems and warned that reopening centers involved in illegal medical activities would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
