KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday directed the provincial government to form a high-level inquiry committee, headed by the chief secretary, to investigate the spread of HIV among children at Karachi’s Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Adnanul Karim Memon and Justice Muhammad Jaffer Raza issued the directives during a hearing into the matter.
The court ordered that the inquiry committee include two Grade-20 officers who have no administrative links with the hospital or the investigation. The committee has been directed to submit its report to the court within two months.
The inquiry will examine the circumstances surrounding HIV transmission among the affected children and determine whether disposable syringes or other medical equipment were reused at the hospital.
It will also review records concerning the purchase, storage and use of auto-lock syringes and determine the responsibilities of medical, nursing, technical and administrative officials. The committee will also examine whether relevant laws, including the Disposable Syringes Act, were violated.
The committee will have access to hospital records, investigation reports and CCTV footage. If negligence or wrongdoing is established, it will recommend departmental or criminal action against those responsible.
The court also directed the Sindh government to ensure uninterrupted medical treatment for all affected children. It ordered that the government or the relevant social security institution bear the cost of medicines, tests and other necessary medical care.
The SHC further directed authorities to provide compensation or other legal relief to affected children and their families and ensure that they do not face discrimination. The court stressed that the children’s identities and medical information must be protected.
The Sindh Chief Secretary and Health Secretary were also directed to ensure strict implementation of the Disposable Syringes Act and other relevant laws.
During the hearing, the court also took notice of the conduct of petitioner’s lawyer Tariq Mansoor, alleging that he incited people accompanying him and allowed videos to be recorded inside the courtroom, disrupting proceedings.
The court observed that the conduct appeared prima facie to constitute contempt of court and issued a show-cause notice to the lawyer. He was directed to submit a written response and appear personally in the contempt proceedings.
The SHC also directed the SHC Bar and Sindh Bar Council to take appropriate legal action regarding the lawyer’s conduct.
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