Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved an investigation into the Vice Chancellor and six other employees of Nishtar Hospital in Multan, following a concerning HIV outbreak at the hospital’s dialysis center.
The inquiry will be conducted under the Punjab Employees Efficiency Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, with a two-member committee led by Transport Secretary Ahmad Javed Qazi assigned to the investigation. The committee will assess the employees’ involvement in the HIV outbreak.
According to a re port by ARY News on Wednesday, after Maryam Nawaz’s approval, show-cause notices have been issued to the seven employees under investigation.
Preliminary reports indicate that Professor Dr. Ghulam Abbas, Head of Nephrology, neglected his administrative responsibilities. Dr. Muhammad Kazim, who was supposed to investigate the HIV outbreak, failed to take appropriate action. Dr. Poonam Khalid, a member of the Nephrology Department, is accused of frequent absenteeism.
Additionally, Dr. Malhiya Johar Zidi allegedly failed to report an HIV-positive patient to senior colleagues, while Naheed Parveen is accused of reusing disposable items during patient dialysis, breaching medical protocols.
The Specialized Healthcare Department has instructed these employees to submit responses within 14 days, and the investigation is ongoing.
In November 2024, CM Maryam Nawaz expressed her displeasure over the HIV outbreak in Multan and requested a progress report within 24 hours. While chairing a special health meeting, she called the outbreak among dialysis patients both regrettable and shameful.
