HIV/AIDS outbreak at Nishtar Hospital: CM Maryam suspends staff, orders compensation

MULTAN: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has taken stern action following a devastating outbreak of HIV/AIDS among dialysis patients at Nishtar Hospital, Multan. The outbreak, which has sent shockwaves through the medical community and public alike, was traced back to gross negligence and violations of standard operating procedures (SOPs) by the hospital staff. During her visit to the hospital, the Chief Minister suspended several senior doctors and nurses, including Medical Superintendent Dr. Muhammad Kazim, Dr. Ghulam Abbas, Dr. Poonam Khalid, Dr. Muhammad Qadeer, Dr. Maleeha Johar, Dr. Muhammad Alamgir, and Head Nurse Naheed Parveen. This decisive move came after evidence surfaced of systemic malpractice, including the reuse of disposable dialyzers and a failure to conduct mandatory screenings for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis every three months as required by protocol.
Maryam Nawaz, visibly angered during her visit, described the incident as “criminal negligence” and emphasized that the healthcare system's lapses were unacceptable given the substantial resources allocated to the sector. She also directed the suspended staff to report to the Secretary Health for further disciplinary actions and announced compensation for the affected patients, many of whom are now grappling with life-altering consequences due to the hospital’s failures. According to reports provided during a briefing to the Chief Minister, the hospital had outsourced HIV/AIDS and hepatitis testing to private laboratories instead of adhering to in-house protocols. This breach, compounded by the absence of senior doctors and department heads from the dialysis ward for several weeks, underscored the lack of accountability within the hospital's management.
The tragedy has left dozens of patients and their families in anguish. One family member of a patient who contracted HIV after dialysis remarked, “We came to the hospital for treatment, trusting the system, but instead, our lives have been destroyed by this negligence.” Such stories have fueled public outrage, with many calling for urgent reforms to ensure that similar incidents are not repeated.
The outbreak first came to light earlier this month when reports revealed alarming practices within the hospital’s dialysis unit. As a result, Nishtar Hospital halted new dialysis treatments while an investigation was launched. The extent of the negligence is outlined in our earlier report, which detailed how poor oversight and non-compliance with health standards created a fertile ground for this tragedy.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has promised accountability at all levels, ensuring that those responsible for this tragedy face the consequences. She highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of protocols and better management within public hospitals, vowing to restore public trust in the healthcare system. However, this incident has reignited debates about the state of healthcare in Pakistan, with critics pointing to systemic failures and the urgent need for reform. As the investigation continues, families of the victims and the wider public await justice, hoping this tragedy serves as a wake-up call for the entire healthcare system.