Sindh begins Rs40,000 monthly assistance for mothers of HIV-positive children

The Sindh Labour Department has started providing monthly financial assistance of Rs40,000 to mothers of 157 children living with HIV to help meet

The Sindh Labour Department has started providing monthly financial assistance of Rs40,000 to mothers of 157 children living with HIV to help meet their children’s nutritional needs, medical expenses and other essential costs.

According to officials, the financial assistance aims to support families caring for children affected by HIV. The initiative is intended to ease the financial burden on mothers and help them meet the additional expenses associated with their children’s care and well-being.

Officials said bank accounts had been opened for the mothers of 115 HIV-positive children. ATM cards have also been issued to them to facilitate access to the monthly payments.

The children have been registered at two hospitals in Karachi. According to officials, 130 HIV-positive children are registered at Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital, while another 27 are registered at Landhi Hospital. Together, the two hospitals have registered 157 affected children.

However, officials have not clarified how long the monthly financial assistance will continue. Further details about the duration of the programme and the arrangements for the remaining beneficiaries have not been provided.

In a related development, the Sindh Labour Department has also approved an endowment fund worth Rs2 billion to support the treatment of children affected by HIV.

The fund is expected to help meet treatment-related expenses and provide financial support for the medical care of affected children. The initiative comes as authorities continue efforts to address the needs of children diagnosed with HIV and support their families.

Meanwhile, a committee has been formed to investigate HIV cases reported at Landhi Hospital in Karachi. The investigation is aimed at examining the circumstances surrounding the reported cases.

The financial assistance and the approval of the endowment fund mark steps towards providing support to affected families. However, questions remain about the long-term continuation of monthly payments and the implementation of treatment support measures.