KARACHI: The Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution on Wednesday approved the establishment of a Rs2 billion endowment fund to provide lifelong medical treatment and welfare support for children diagnosed with HIV following infections linked to the SESSI-run Valika Hospital.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the SESSI Governing Body chaired by Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resources and Social Security and SESSI Chairman Saeed Ghani.
The meeting also reviewed the institution’s proposed budget for the 2026-27 financial year and the revised budget for 2025-26.
According to an official statement, the Governing Body held a detailed discussion on the proposed budget, recommending several amendments while expressing reservations over certain provisions in the revised estimates. In light of the observations, the meeting was adjourned and will reconvene on July 17 to finalise the budget.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to reviewing the HIV cases detected among children who received treatment at Valika Hospital.
The Governing Body unanimously approved the creation of the Rs2 billion endowment fund, which will generate sustainable financial resources to ensure long-term, high-quality medical care and comprehensive welfare assistance for the affected children and their families.
The Governing Body also examined the findings of an inquiry committee constituted in compliance with directives issued by the Provincial Ombudsman.
Expressing satisfaction over the committee’s report, members endorsed disciplinary proceedings against 37 doctors and paramedical staff, including the ratification of their suspensions and the issuance of show-cause notices.
Addressing the meeting, Saeed Ghani said the government was conducting a transparent and impartial investigation and made it clear that no individual found responsible would be spared of strict legal action, regardless of rank.
He said an inquiry committee had been constituted immediately after he received the first report of the incident in October 2025, when only a limited number of suspected cases had been identified.
Acting on the government’s directives, all children who had received treatment during the relevant period were subsequently screened, leading to the confirmation of 78 HIV-positive cases so far.
The Minister said investigators had also been tasked with determining whether the infections occurred during the period under investigation or had been contracted earlier. Inquiries were continuing against all doctors, paramedical staff and officials who were on duty at the time the infections are believed to have occurred.
Describing the incident as a major human tragedy, Ghani reiterated the Sindh government’s commitment to ensuring accountability while providing the affected children with the best possible medical treatment, rehabilitation and social welfare support.
“The Government will stand by these children and their families at every stage. Those responsible will be held accountable, while the victims will receive every possible medical and welfare facility,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Labour Secretary Sajid Jamal Abro, SESSI Commissioner Hadi Bakhsh Kalhoro, Governing Body members Engr M A Jabbar, Khalil Baloch, Muhammad Khan Abro, Zahra Khan, Mukhtiar Ahmed Awan and Abdul Wahid Shoro, Medical Adviser Kamran Awan, Dr Saadat Memon and other senior SESSI officials.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments