MULTAN: A serious administrative action has been taken at Nishtar Hospital Multan after a controversial surgical procedure involving a suspected HIV-positive patient sparked alarm over medical protocol violations and patient safety standards. Authorities have suspended nine doctors and one nurse pending a full investigation.
According to an official notification issued by the hospital administration, all individuals linked to the incident will remain under suspension until the inquiry is completed. The decision also includes an immediate halt to postgraduate training for the trainee doctors involved, raising concerns within the medical education community.
The hospital’s Medical Superintendent confirmed that the suspended staff members have been instructed not to leave their assigned station without permission while the investigation continues. A four-member inquiry committee has been formed to determine how established surgical protocols were bypassed.
The incident reportedly occurred three days ago in the surgery department, where doctors proceeded with an operation on a patient without waiting for confirmed HIV test results. Later reports revealed that the patient was indeed HIV-positive, triggering panic about possible exposure risks for operating theatre staff.
In response, hospital management initiated emergency screening measures. More than ten doctors and supporting staff who were present in the operating theatre have undergone HIV testing as a precautionary step. Officials say additional follow-up testing may be required depending on the findings of the inquiry committee.
The case has raised serious questions about adherence to infection control protocols in high-risk medical environments. Health experts stress that strict pre-surgical screening is essential to protect both patients and healthcare workers, especially in public hospitals where patient loads are high and resources are often stretched.
Authorities have assured that a transparent investigation will be conducted and that strict disciplinary action will follow if negligence is proven. Meanwhile, medical staff associations are closely monitoring the situation, warning that the outcome could have wider implications for training and surgical procedures across public hospitals in the region.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident continues to highlight urgent gaps in hospital safety systems, prompting calls for improved testing protocols, staff training, and accountability mechanisms to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The inquiry committee is expected to submit its initial findings in the coming days, which will determine the next phase of action in this high-profile medical case.
