KARACHI: The number of HIV-positive children at Walika Hospital has risen to 169, with the outbreak continuing to spread among children. To address the situation, five medical boards have been established so far, with 142 victims registered within them. Under financial support initiatives, bank accounts have been opened for 109 children, while endowment fund assistance for two months has been disbursed to 76 families. However, 34 families are still awaiting financial aid due to incomplete documentation and issues related to Benazir cards.
According to statistics, 9 child deaths from HIV have been confirmed so far, though the hospital’s own record lists only two deaths, and the families of the deceased children have yet to receive any aid from the endowment fund, a matter expected to be reviewed in the upcoming meeting. Following investigations, administrative actions have been taken, resulting in show-cause notices issued to multiple employees along with the suspension of doctors, dispensers, and nursing staff. Experts emphasize that the timely provision of financial relief to affected families, the complete registration of all children, and the consolidation of death records into a single registry are essential to avoid further delays in delivering promised assistance.
