The Punjab government introduces mandatory HIV/AIDS screenings every three months for dialysis patients to enhance safety protocols.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir announced mandatory screenings across all hospitals managed by the Primary Health Care Department. He instructed officials to complete initial screenings within two weeks, with support from the Punjab AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention and Control Program.
Minister Nazir committed to ensuring the safety of dialysis units in all District and Tehsil hospitals in Punjab. This policy follows an incident at Nishtar Hospital, Multan, where one patient died, and 30 others contracted HIV/AIDS from dialysis machines designated for HIV-positive cases.
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed her concern over the HIV outbreak in Multan and demanded a progress report within 24 hours. During a special health meeting, Maryam Nawaz described the outbreak as regrettable and shameful. She criticized the halting of dialysis due to funding shortages as unacceptable.
Furthermore, she approved the ‘Chief Minister Dialysis Program Card,’ a first-of-its-kind initiative in Pakistan. This program boosts funding for each dialysis patient’s treatment to Rs10 million, allocating Rs8.5 million for dialysis and Rs1.5 million for tests.
Maryam Nawaz directed free testing and medication for dialysis patients and stressed the continuity of dialysis under any circumstances. Plans were made to increase the number of dialysis units throughout Punjab.
