ISLAMABAD: Sindh province has witnessed a concerning rise in HIV cases, with an average of 260 new infections reported monthly during 2024, totaling over 1,300 cases from January to May alone. Officials from the Sindh health department disclosed that 10 to 15 percent of these cases involve children, highlighting a troubling trend affecting younger demographics across several districts including Larkana, Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, and Karachi.
“In the first five months of 2024, Sindh has recorded 1,304 new cases of HIV, averaging 260 cases monthly,” stated a health department official speaking to The News. The transmission among children under 12 years old is attributed to various factors such as the reuse of syringes and IV drips by unqualified practitioners, inadequate infection prevention and control measures, contaminated blood, and mother-to-child transmission.
Recently, Mirpur Khas district emerged as a hotspot, where screenings at a nutrition stabilization center revealed 20 children testing positive for HIV in the past six months alone. This outbreak underscores broader systemic challenges in healthcare practices across rural Sindh.
Data from the Sindh Department of Health and the Common Management Unit for AIDS, TB, and Malaria reported a peak in May 2024 with 293 new HIV cases detected, reflecting an alarming trajectory of the epidemic in the region. “From January to May, cases have shown variability, with January and February averaging 257 cases per month, followed by 258 in March, 239 in April, and a significant surge to 293 in May,” the official elaborated.
While the recent focus has been on Mirpur Khas, the official clarified that similar patterns are observed across Sindh. “Out of the 260 monthly HIV cases, approximately 50-60 are children,” he added, citing NGO reports.
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International health experts, including representatives from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta, identified poor infection control practices as a primary cause of the 2019 HIV outbreak in Larkana. Recommendations to enhance preventive measures have seen limited implementation, particularly in rural districts where the reuse of medical equipment persists unabated.
Dr. Zulfiqar Dharejo, Deputy Director General CDC Sindh, emphasized the need for urgent interventions. “In Mirpur Khas, 20 children have been diagnosed with HIV this year, two of whom have tragically passed away, while the rest are undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART),” he stated. Further investigations and contact tracing efforts have identified additional cases within affected families, illustrating the extensive reach of the epidemic.
Despite challenges, health authorities remain committed to containing the spread of HIV through enhanced testing, treatment, and public awareness initiatives. Efforts are underway to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to mitigate future outbreaks and safeguard vulnerable populations in Sindh.
