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

LAHORE: An inquiry committee has been formed at the Nishtar Hospital of Multan after claims emerged that a patient had undergone surgery without undergoing HIV testing and then turned out to be a carrier of the virus.

An order issued by the hospital’s medical superintendent states that an inquiry committee comprising four members is to probe the case and provide their report within two days.

Dr Riwad Noor, a member of the inquiry committee and in-charge of infectious diseases at Nishtar Hospital, said in an interview with Dawn that the inquiry will be conducted on Friday and the report provided by Saturday.

“Situation is well under control as the preventive measures have been taken in this regard for decontamination of all surgical tools used during the procedure,” he added.

It may be mentioned that the patient underwent surgery on Tuesday, May 19, in the hospital’s operating theatre. The junior doctor had raised objections about the fact that the patient’s HIV testing was not done before surgery, but those were ignored.

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.