MULTAN : A major medical safety breach has been uncovered at Nishtar Hospital in Multan, where a suspected HIV patient underwent surgery alongside general patients, prompting the immediate sealing of the surgical department’s operation theater.
Speaking to Geo News, the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Nishtar Hospital, Dr. Rao Amjad, confirmed that the operation theater was shut down a day after the procedure, once the patient’s test results returned positive for HIV.
According to hospital records, a total of seven surgeries were performed in that specific theater on Tuesday.
Dr. Rao Amjad explained that standard medical protocols mandate an HIV test for every patient prior to undergoing surgery.
However, in this instance, the patient was operated on before the test results were formally received, with the positive diagnosis arriving the following day.
In response to the exposure risk, HIV screenings have been ordered for over ten doctors and paramedical staff members who were on duty in the theater over the two-day period.
Furthermore, an inquiry committee, headed by Additional MS Dr. Lubna, has been established to thoroughly investigate the procedural lapse.
