Negligence Exposed at Nishtar Hospital: Six Staff Suspended Following HIV Transmission to Dialysis Patients

An inquiry into Nishtar Hospital in Multan has uncovered alarming negligence that led to the transmission of HIV to dialysis patients. As a result, six staff members have been suspended, highlighting a grave lapse in medical protocols and patient safety standards at one of the region’s leading healthcare facilities.

According to the news source, the inquiry report was presented to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz following the revelation that 30 patients in the dialysis unit had contracted HIV.

The investigation found negligence on the part of several key personnel, including the Medical Superintendent, the head of the Nephrology ward, an associate professor, an assistant professor, a registrar, and a head nurse, all of whom were immediately suspended.

Additionally, Dr. Mehnaz Khakwani, Vice Chancellor of Nishtar Medical University, resigned from her position.

On November 16, it was discovered that after treating a patient who was already HIV positive, 30 other patients also tested positive for the virus.

This alarming situation came to light after the death of a 40-year-old patient named Shah Nawaz, who had been brought in for emergency dialysis due to kidney failure.

Investigations revealed that he had been treated on a dialysis machine that had also been used for other patients, resulting in further HIV transmissions.

The inquiry report confirmed that standard operating procedures (SOPs) for dialysis were severely violated at Nishtar Hospital.

A fact-finding committee established by the Punjab government included officials from various health authorities and confirmed the spread of AIDS within the nephrology department.

An official noted that strict adherence to SOPs is crucial in hospitals worldwide to prevent such incidents, although claims of negligence were denied by the Vice Chancellor of Nishtar Medical University.