Sindh sets up Rs2b fund for HIV-affected children

KARACHI: The Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution Governing Body has decided to set up an endowment fund of Rs2 billion for the treatment and care of children suffering from HIV and has vowed to take serious action against the guilty parties.

The decision was taken in a budget discussion meeting held under the chairmanship of Saeed Ghani, who is the Labour Minister and SESSI Chairman and was attended by top SESSI officials like Secretary Labour Sajid Jamal Abro, SESSI Commissioner Hadi Bux Kalhoro, and other Governing Body Members.

It has been stated that the money would be spent on providing proper treatment and care to children who are suffering from HIV, considering the rising number of HIV cases at the Valika Hospital.

The meeting also went through the reports of an inquiry committee that was set up according to the directives of the provincial ombudsman. The governing body approved the recommendation of the committee, which included suspension of 37 doctors and paramedical staff along with issuing show cause notice.

Addressing the press conference, Ghani said that the government would make sure that all the individuals would be held responsible through an honest inquiry process. "There would be no leniency shown to anyone," he said.

He further informed that an inquiry committee had been constituted by him on October 29, 2025, the very next day when he got aware of the problem. There were only a few cases at the start, however, later all children were screened and currently there are 78 confirmed cases.

Ghani further informed that inquiries are being made to know whether all the infections have taken place simultaneously or before, adding that all the doctors, paramedical staff and officials who were present at that time would be held accountable.