Parents and children wait for care at Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital on July 25 in Karachi, Pakistan. Families say their children tested positive for HIV after syringes were used on multiple children being treated for other illnesses.

Betsy Joles/NPR

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Betsy Joles/NPR

In Pakistan, dozens of parents who brought their children to hospitals for routine care say their kids now have HIV. At least six children have died. Parents accuse hospital staff of spreading the virus by reusing syringes and needles for injections and IV drips.  Families are fighting for recognition of this avoidable tragedy, and to care for children now burdened with a lifelong illness.
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