An investigative team has charged Nishtar Hospital’s doctors and staff with severe negligence after numerous kidney patients contracted HIV/AIDS.
Authorities initiated the inquiry when a patient died, and 30 others acquired HIV/AIDS from dialysis at this prominent southern Punjab hospital. A committee formed by the Punjab government confirmed these infections in the nephrology unit.
The team found significant breaches of standard operating procedures (SOPs) during dialysis. Despite these findings, the Nishtar Medical University (NMU) vice chancellor dismissed the allegations.
An official reported that staff failed to follow essential safety measures, such as sterilizing dialysis machines and ensuring safe blood transfusions. This neglect likely increased HIV transmission risks. The hospital had also not properly tested dialysis patients for a year.
Furthermore, staff did not document patients’ medical histories correctly, skipping crucial infection screenings before dialysis treatments.
The hospital’s infection control committee, essential for preventing and managing infections, had not met for several months. This failure compromised the safety of materials, products, and medical equipment.
The provincial government has received the committee’s report for further action. This incident has damaged the country’s reputation, drawing international criticism for neglecting patient safety standards.
NMU’s vice chancellor, Prof. Mehnaz Khakwani, challenged the committee’s findings, arguing that the infections might have occurred at private clinics where patients underwent blood tests and screenings. She confirmed that the hospital works with the AIDS Control Programme to refine SOPs and prevent such incidents.
Reports suggest that the hospital’s administration pressures junior staff and nurses to accept blame for the negligence to shield senior officials. There are also indications that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif will visit the hospital regarding this issue.
