MULTAN’S Nishtar Hospital, south Punjab’s largest public-sector hospital, was in the news last year for outrageous negligence that caused a patient’s death by HIV/ AIDS, while 30 others contracted the infection during dialysis. An inquiry committee set up by the provincial government had confirmed the infections at the hospital’s nephrology department; it has now proposed penalties comprising fines, censure and demotions for the facility’s senior officials, along with the removal, and “forfeiture of past one year’s service” of the Nishtar Medical University’s vice chancellor. The investigation, conducted under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act, 2006, recorded grave discrepancies in supervision, protocol conformity and patient care by the VC and other accused personnel. Although delayed, this development should serve as a warning for corrupt practitioners and remind others of accountability processes.

The health scandals at the hospital — in 2022, four decomposing corpses were found on its roof — are indicators of the detrimental impact of unethical medics and staff in the absence of accountability mechanisms. Scarcity of funds aggravates the predicament. Presently, Pakistan is second among nations with the sharpest rise in HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific region. This virus, stalked by shame, is already a complicated battle. We have a long way to go before societal attitudes become more compassionate towards patients, which will encourage them to report their symptoms and seek treatment. Without consistent treatment, HIV can convert into AIDS and devastate the immune system. But, other than socioeconomic forces, the scale of torturous events that frequently come to light across Pakistan, and their potential spread, imply that the virus may now be difficult to contain. It is crucial for the federal and provincial authorities to view this as a health emergency and enforce immediate preventive measures. Our medical structure should not resemble an abattoir.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2025