An inquiry committee formed by Nishtar Medical University has held nine doctors and hospital officials responsible for negligence and protocol violations in a case involving surgery performed on a patient later found to be HIV-positive.
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According to the inquiry report submitted to the Punjab Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department, disciplinary action was recommended against the officials under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (Peeda) Act 2006.
The investigation was launched after allegations emerged that mandatory HIV screening procedures were not fully completed or verified before surgery was conducted at Nishtar Hospital Multan.
Acting on the report, the Punjab government suspended several officials, including Senior Registrar Dr Fariha Ahmed and Staff Nurse Rida Zahra. Medical officers Dr Shahbaz Anwar, Dr Mohammad Ali Jan, and Dr Muhammad Naeem Akhtar were also suspended over allegations of incompetence and administrative mismanagement.
Additionally, the government suspended the FCPS Chemical Pathology training of Dr Sania Saeed, the MS General Surgery training of Dr Irsa Arif, and the FCPS Orthopaedic Surgery training of Dr Akhtar.
The inquiry committee found that several officials failed to communicate, upload, verify, or act upon the patient’s HIV screening report before the procedure. According to the report, Dr Fariha Ahmed failed to conduct a mandatory post-operative round and did not inform senior authorities about the report in time.
The report also stated that some officials failed to coordinate between departments or verify mandatory surgical checklists and laboratory results before surgery and anaesthesia procedures.
The incident raised concerns among healthcare workers and medical authorities regarding compliance with infection-control and patient safety protocols at the hospital.
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Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique stated that negligence in treatment and patient care would not be tolerated and warned that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
Officials said further departmental proceedings would continue in accordance with relevant laws and regulations