CM Maryam suspends Nishtar Hospital’s MS, medics and nurses for spreading AIDS during dialysis

Taking strict action on gross negligence, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has suspended Medical Superintendent (MS) of Nishtar Hospital Multan, Dr. Muhammad Kazim, Head of Nephrology Department, Dr Ghulam Abbas, Associate Professor Nephrology Dr. Poonam Khalid, Senior Registrar Nephrology Department Dr. Muhammad Qadeer, Dr. Maleeha Johar, Nephrology Ward MO Dr. Muhammad Alamgir and Head Nurse Naheed Parveen and directed all of them to pay compensation to AIDS patients, and directed the Health Secretary to take strict action against them for gross negligents under PEDA Act.

CM Punjab reached Nishtar Hospital Multan to investigate the spread of AIDS among dialysis patients.On the occasion, CM PUnjab was given detailed briefing about the inquriy report of the issue.    

CM Maryam Nawaz lamented that all resources were dedicated to health but the results are not positive. She said people were coming to hospital for treatment but they were contracting AIDS from the hospitals, which is absolutely intolerable.

Chief Minister directed concered department to provide immediate PET scan facility in Multan. She also inspected the cardiology and other wards, and directed to transfer a patient to ICU due to his critical condition. CM Maryam Nawaz directed the relevant authorities to improve cleanliness in wards. She also directed them to ensure the payment of salaries to sanitary workers on their complaint. 

On her arrival, CM Punjab as told that SOPs of taking mandatory tests for AIDS and Hepatitis after every 03 months were violated. Against protocol, AIDS tests were conducted at private laboratories. The report said despite confirmations of AIDS, the ward doctors and staff tried to hide the incident. She learnt that disposable dialysis kits were repeatedly being used for different patients.

She also heard point of view of Nishtar Hospital Vice Chancellor, Principal, Head of Department, Assistant Professor, Head AIDS Control Program and others. Chief Minister got angry when she learnt that the Head of Nephrology Department and other senior doctors have not been visiting the ward for several weeks. Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Information & Culture Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari and Special Assistant Sania Ashiq accompanied Chief Minister. Chief Secretary, Secretaries Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, RPO and other officials were also present.