Punjab CM Orders Inquiry into 7 Nishtar Hospital Employees Over HIV Outbreak
The Specialized Healthcare Department has given these employees 14 days to submit their responses.
MULTAN: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved an inquiry into the actions of seven Nishtar Hospital employees, including the Vice Chancellor, following a concerning HIV outbreak at the hospital’s dialysis center.
The inquiry, authorized under the Punjab Employees Efficiency Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, will be conducted by a two-member committee headed by Ahmad Javed Qazi, the Secretary of Transport. The committee is tasked with investigating the role of the employees in the HIV outbreak at the hospital.
The employees, including Professor Dr. Ghulam Abbas, the Head of the Nephrology Department, have been issued show-cause notices. Dr. Abbas is accused of failing in his administrative duties. Dr. Muhammad Kazim, responsible for investigating the outbreak, is criticized for his ineffectiveness, while Dr. Poonam Khalid is under scrutiny for repeated absenteeism.
Further allegations include Dr. Malhiya Johar Zidi’s failure to report an HIV-positive patient and Naheed Parveen’s violation of medical protocols by reusing disposable items during dialysis. These actions have raised serious concerns about the hospital’s negligence.
The Specialized Healthcare Department has given these employees 14 days to submit their responses. An ongoing investigation is focused on determining the extent of their negligence and accountability.
The outbreak, which occurred in November 2024, has resulted in one patient’s death and 30 others contracting HIV/AIDS due to the contamination of dialysis machines. The Chief Minister previously expressed her anger over the incident, calling it “shameful,” and emphasized the importance of ensuring proper medical care and cleanliness in healthcare facilities.
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Additionally, the Chief Minister approved a new ‘Chief Minister Dialysis Program Card,’ aimed at providing enhanced financial support to dialysis patients, allocating Rs 10 million for each patient’s treatment and tests. She also directed the Punjab Healthcare Commission to ensure strict adherence to SOPs in dialysis centers across the province.
The inquiry and new measures aim to address the concerns raised by the HIV outbreak and improve healthcare services in Punjab.
