Probe launched at Nishtar Hospital after patient tests HIV-positive following surgery

LAHORE: A senior-level inquiry has been ordered at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital after a patient reportedly underwent surgery without the required HIV screening and was later found to be HIV-positive, prompting concern over possible exposure of healthcare workers and compliance with infection-control procedures.

According to an order issued by the hospital’s medical superintendent, a four-member committee has been formed to examine the matter and submit its findings within two days. Dr Riwad Noor, who is part of the committee and serves as in-charge of infectious diseases, said the inquiry would be conducted on Friday and the report would be submitted on Saturday.

Dr Noor said the situation was under control and added that preventive steps had been taken, including disinfection of all surgical instruments.

Questions over pre-surgery screening

Hospital officials and staff accounts indicate that the operation took place on Tuesday, May 19, in one of the hospital’s operating theatres. According to hospital sources, a junior doctor noticed during pre-operative file checking that the patient’s HIV screening report was not present. The concern was allegedly not resolved, and the surgery proceeded.

Ward in-charge Dr Masood Hiraj said he learned of the matter on Wednesday morning and immediately informed both the medical superintendent and the in-charge of infectious diseases so that urgent precautionary measures could be taken.

Dr Hiraj said the operating theatre and all surgical instruments had been cleaned early on Wednesday at around 8:30am. He also stated that the same patient had previously undergone two operations at the facility, and HIV screening had been carried out on those occasions with negative results. However, he said that during the latest procedure, junior staff moved ahead without the mandatory screening report.

The patient was subsequently confirmed to be HIV-positive, causing alarm among hospital personnel.

Hospital response and testing

A spokesperson for Nishtar Hospital said disinfection of equipment in all operating theatres was completed on time and in line with standard protocols. The spokesperson added that preliminary findings showed the HIV-positive patient was the last person operated on in the relevant theatre.

The spokesperson also confirmed that the HIV test conducted at Nishtar Hospital came back positive. Under the applicable standard operating procedures, the case is being treated as a suspected HIV case, the spokesperson said, adding that the patient’s samples had been sent to Lahore for PCR testing for further confirmation.

Medical experts have stressed the importance of following pre-surgical screening requirements and universal infection-control measures to safeguard both patients and healthcare workers. They have warned that failure to observe such procedures can create occupational health risks and raise ethical questions.

Previous concerns at the hospital

The latest incident comes months after another serious HIV-related episode at the same hospital. In November 2024, a kidney-failure patient died and 30 others contracted HIV/AIDS during dialysis treatment at Nishtar Hospital. The public-sector hospital in south Punjab had then come under scrutiny over allegations of severe negligence after patients were reportedly placed on dialysis machines designated for HIV-positive patients.