More than 2,100 children across Pakistan have tested HIV-positive over the past 15 months, raising serious concerns about public health safety and infection control practices.
Health officials say the cases have been reported from multiple regions, with experts linking a significant number of infections to unsafe medical practices, including the reuse of syringes and poor hygiene standards in healthcare facilities.
Recent investigations have highlighted alarming lapses. In one major case in Punjab’s Taunsa, at least 331 children were diagnosed with HIV between November 2024 and October 2025, with evidence pointing to contaminated injections as a likely source.
Experts note that many affected children had no traditional risk factors, such as mother-to-child transmission, strengthening concerns that infections were acquired during routine medical treatment.
Public health specialists have warned that the situation reflects systemic weaknesses, including:
- Poor infection control in hospitals and clinics
- Reuse of medical equipment
- Lack of monitoring in private healthcare setups
Pakistan has faced similar crises in the past. The 2019 Sindh HIV outbreak infected hundreds of children and was also linked to contaminated syringes, highlighting long-standing gaps in healthcare safety.
Authorities say efforts are underway to improve screening, enforce stricter medical protocols, and raise awareness, but experts stress that urgent reforms are needed to prevent further spread.
The rising number of cases has intensified calls for accountability and stronger oversight to protect vulnerable populations, especially children.
