When hospitals become HIV carriers

Published on 31 August 2025

Whether for a minor injury or for a salvation process, hospitals are where sick people are in a hurry to improve. However, when appropriate infection control protocols are not followed, a patient walking for a simple blood test may let the hospital be transported unknowingly to HIV-Aid.

According to the best health channel, the basic protocols for HIV-AID infections in hospitals include disposable syringes in approved containers and disinfection for employees and the sterilization of workers and the cleaning of rays and flexible blocks.

Although hospital employees in Pakistan ensure the presence of infections control departments in government hospitals, in fact, these bodies remain non -functional and compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP) is not satisfactory. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) living in the bloodstream is easily transmitted by contact with the body fluids of an infected person, which could be present on united medical devices and work surfaces. The lack of effective strategy from Pakistan to prevent diseases is one reason why the number of HIV-AIDS patients today, about 290,000, continues to increase.

A patient’s family in the urban hospital infection unit revealed that their brother, diagnosed with HIV in 2020, abandoned the hospital due to unhealthy conditions. After persuasion, the family made him re -installed at Lyari General Hospital, where he is now taking monthly medicines. “The frightening state of hygiene in public hospitals exacerbates the patient’s mental and physical health, burdening their families.

Similarly, Asghar, whose older brother acquired HIV-AIDS during the epidemic of 2023, talked about his family’s hard journey. “My completely healthy brother worked as a laboratory technician at a large private hospital in Karachi. Suddenly, his health began to deteriorate and was revealed that he had been contracted by HIV.

Dr. Pir Ghulam Nabi Shah Jilani, Deputy Director of the Karachi Health Department, claimed that infections prevention committees were functional in government hospitals. “These committees, including specialized doctors and physicians, have the command to ensure the sterilization and proper disposal of medical waste. However, their effectiveness remains questionable,” Dr. Jilani said, while talking about Sindh, where the HIV broadcast by 139.6 % of HIVs, with 139.6 % of HIV. 3,446 cases recorded in 2024.

Professor Dr Faisal Mahmood, a specialist infectious disease at AGA Khan University Hospital, underlined the urgent need to apply infections infections and clinics protocols. “Patients can be carriers and hospitals should treat each patient as potentially infectious,” Dr. Mahmood said, citing medical protocols, which were clearly ignored in Punjab, where the sad attachment of healthcare facilities and healthcare facilities.

In October 2024, more than 24 patients with nephrology acquired HIV virus at Nishtar Hospital in Multan, which is the largest installation that offers dialysis to more than 200 registered patients from South Punjab. During the investigation, it was revealed that a HIV patient underwently undergoing proper sterilization protocols, which led to the spread of the virus to other patients due to the negligence of hospital staff.

Sources have revealed that the inspections of other government hospitals have also found similar omissions in the HIV infections control protocols. Health Minister Salman Rafiq gave the Punjab Health Committee for further investigation. However, doctors at Nishtar Hospital did not work and when they were invited to the Lahorei office, they presented excuses and resisted.

When he came into contact, the Punjab Health Committee refused to provide further details on the grounds that he was investigating the matter and monitored the compliance with infections control sops. Dr. Zahid Ansari, a former head of Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority, clarified the difference between people with HIV-positives and AIDS patients.

“People with HIV positives should not donate blood and their medical tools used such as syringes or razor should not be reused. The virus can be detected through specific blood tests and viral analysis.

At the Nishtar Hospital incident, it was clear that sorting procedures were completely ignored. Despite the severity of the situation, the issue disappeared again in the background in Punjab, where more than 7,000 HIV cases were reported last year.

Shehzad, a 60 -year -old dialysis patient at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, transferred his concerns after the epidemic of Multan Hospital. “After listening to what happened at Nishtar Hospital, I live with fear. Even routine procedures now feel dangerous, patients are constantly worried that they can contribute to serious illness at any time due to medical negligence,” Shehzad revealed.

Similar concerns have upgraded the poor performance of the infections and Health Care Committee in KHYBER-PAKHTUNKHWA, which was observed 888.1 % on HIV-AIDS impact over the past three years, with 816 cases reported in 2022, 5.543 cases reported in 2023 and 8.063 cases. were recorded in 2024.

Significant Medical Institutions of Teaching (MTIS) in Peshawar, including Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital Hospital and Hayatabad medical complex, along with TEHSIL (THQS) Hospitals, do not maintain effective infection and sterilization control systems. Instead of preventing diseases, these hospitals are alleged to be converted into outbreaks of infectious restaurants.

A technician in the Hayatabad medical complex, talking about the state of anonymity, revealed that the standard operating procedures (sops) to control infections were not followed at all. “We have repeatedly asked the administration to provide basic supplies for controlling infections.

Dr. Amir Taj, an infectious -in -law expert, told The Express Tribune that it was unfortunate that both the infections and the Health Care Committee created for the purpose of controlling the spread of transmitted infections were not able to do their job.

“Instead of controlling infections, the Health Committee seems to focus more on the collection of hospital fees and registration charges, infections such as HIV, hepatitis and others are spreading rapidly, costing billions of rupees each year.

On the other hand, Dr. Tariq Hayat, Director of the HIV Control Program, said that the SOPs for control of infections were strictly followed by HIV and hepatitis control centers operating within hospitals. However, he also acknowledged the fact that awareness sessions on the control of infections were urgently needed in both public and private hospitals.

Dr. Muhammad Naeem, former director of the Sindh Aids control program, recalled that Larkana faced important HIV epidemics in 2019 and 2023. Transfusion practices, “Dr. Naeem revealed.

Speaking to Express Tribune on the subject, Azam Rehman, a spokesman for the Health Committee, claimed that the Commission strictly imposed sops on control of infections, imposing both private and public hospitals that violate the guidelines.

Despite official claims, current poor attachment to hospital infections protocols throughout the country requires urgent government intervention, including the strict regulation of medical practices, the imposition of hygiene protocols and the establishment of HIVs. Without quick action, the spread of HIV-AIDS can be mingled out of control.