[4] The causes of the outbreak were identified by health officials as "unhygienic practices" including re-use without sterilization of medical syringes and needles in doctors' clinics and blood banks, barbers' razors, tattoo needles, nose- and ear-piercing tools, circumcision blades, and dental instruments.
National AIDS Control Programme assumed there ~165 000 people in Pakistan who had contracted HIV, with only 15% of the number being aware of their condition, and only 17149 patients were receiving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy.
An inquiry by MoNHSRC found that the cause of the outbreak could be traced back to contaminated disposable syringes, which were likely used by someone posing as a doctor.
[5] The Sindh AIDS Control Programme carried out a massive testing campaign which encompassed more than 26 000 people.
In order to ensure an immediate access to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, a specialized clinic was established in Larkana.