Panic in Pakistani City After 900 Children Test Positive for H.I.V.

Health workers say the reuse of syringes drove the outbreak in the city of Ratodero.

Ratodero, Pakistan - Oct 24, 2019

Imtiaz Jalbani was a father of six. Now he has four. His son Ali Zain, 6, and his daughter Kaneez Batool, 3, are both HIV positive. His daughters Sameena Khatoon, 3, and Rida Batool, 14 months, both succumbed to the virus this past year. Jalbani and his wife Zuleka Khatoon have both tested HIV negative. The death of Jalbani's two children, and the result of his other two children testing positive, is likely due to the medical malpractice of one pediatrician Muzaffar Ghanghro reusing syringes. Jalbani claims that he never took his children to any other doctor, since Ghanghro was the only pediatrician. 1130 people of the town of Ratodero have tested positive for HIV, 894 of them children under the age of 12. Jalbani says, "I witnessed Dr. Muzaffar reusing a syringe for Ali Zain. He retrieved a used syringe from the trash and pricked his hand three times leaving scars. He used syringes from the trash because I didn't have enough money to pay for the medicine. I told him this was wrong, because I know about AIDS and HIV. He said 'if you don't want my treatment, go to another doctor…’ Dr. Muzaffar is a cruel man. He was aware of what he was doing and is butchering our children."

Mothers gather with their children outside a pediatricians office at a municipal clinic near Rato Dero on Oct 24, 2019.

Pediatrician Muzaffar Ghanghro of Ratodero, Pakistan, has been charged with negligence and manslaughter (Pakistan Penal Code Section 322) on the basis of medical malpractice where he was observed reusing syringes. He has been accused of playing a part in the recent HIV outbreak in the town of Ratodero, where over 1100 people have tested HIV positive. Ghanghro, who's private clinic is now closed, is currently out on bail and is still practicing medicine as a general physician at Bangol Dero Hospital near Ratodero.

Allah Dino Seelro village near Rato Dero, Sindh

Bebi Sohrab, 22, with her son Hasan, 2, who both are HIV positive in their home in the Subhani Shar Village near Rato Dero.

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, a pediatrician attends to a mother and her child at Government Taluka Hospital. Dr. Ali sees roughly 400 patients per day and shared that the hospital is severely understaffed. Oct 24, 2019

Heera Khatoon holds her daughter Farhana, 3, at her home in Allah Dino Seelro village near Rato Dero, Sindh. Both are HIV positive.

Familly's medicine to fight HIV side affects.

Parveen and her husband Tariq Hussain Seelro sit with their children at their home in Allah Dino Seelro village near Ratodero. Hussain was the first member of his family to test positive for HIV followed by his wife. There are a total of six family members that have tested positive for HIV, including their youngest child, who tested earlier this year.

Parveen Seelro prepares food for her family, accompanied by her mother and daughter.