Patient tests HIV-positive after surgery, triggering probe at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital

LAHORE: A high-level inquiry committee has been constituted at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital to investigate allegations of medical negligence after a patient reportedly underwent surgery without mandatory HIV screening and later tested positive for the virus. The incident has triggered concern among healthcare staff over possible exposure and lapses in infection-control protocols. According to an order issued by the hospital’s medical superintendent, a four-member inquiry committee will investigate the incident and submit its findings within two days. Dr Riwad Noor, a member of the inquiry committee and in-charge of infectious diseases, told Dawn that they would conduct the inquiry on Friday and submit the report on Saturday. He said the situation was under control and that preventive measures had been taken to disinfect all surgical instruments. Hospital sources said the surgery was performed on Tuesday, May 19, in the hospital’s operating theatre. A junior doctor had reportedly flagged during pre-operative file verification that the patient’s HIV screening report was missing. However, the objection was allegedly not addressed, and the procedure went ahead. Ward in-charge Dr Masood Hiraj told Dawn that he became aware of the issue on Wednesday morning and immediately informed the medical superintendent as well as the in-charge of infectious diseases to ensure urgent preventive measures. He claimed that the operating theatre and all surgical instruments were, however, cleaned early on Wednesday morning at around 8:30am. Dr Hiraj further clarified that the patient had previously undergone two surgeries at the facility, during which HIV screening was conducted and the results had been negative. However, he said that during the most recent procedure, junior staff proceeded without the required screening report. The patient was later confirmed to be HIV-positive, triggering alarm among hospital staff. Meanwhile, a Nishtar Hospital spokesperson said that disinfection of equi