BBC Investigation Reveals Syringe Reuse at Pakistan Hospital Linked to Child HIV Outbreak
A BBC Eye investigation has uncovered dangerous medical practices at THQ Taunsa, a government hospital in Punjab, Pakistan, which is at the center of a significant child HIV outbreak. Undercover filming conducted in late 2025 captured staff reusing syringes on multi-dose vials and administering injections without sterile gloves. These actions potentially contaminated medicines and exposed patients to viral transmission. The outbreak, identified between November 2024 and October 2025, involves 331 children testing positive for HIV, with data suggesting contaminated needles rather than mother-to-child transmission as the primary cause. Despite the evidence, the hospital’s new medical superintendent, Dr. Qasim Buzdar, dismissed the footage as potentially staged or outdated, insisting the facility is safe. Local doctor Dr. Gul Qaisrani initially raised the alarm after noticing a spike in pediatric HIV cases linked to the hospital. Experts warn that even with new needles, reusing syringe bodies can transfer viruses. This report highlights severe failures in infection control and regulatory oversight within the regional healthcare system.
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BBC Investigation Reveals Syringe Reuse at Pakistan Hospital Linked to Child HIV Outbreak
A BBC Eye investigation has uncovered dangerous medical practices at THQ Taunsa, a government hospital in Punjab, Pakistan, which is at the center of a significant child HIV outbreak. Undercover filming conducted in late 2025 captured staff reusing syringes on multi-dose vials and administering injections without sterile gloves. These actions potentially contaminated medicines and exposed patients to viral transmission. The outbreak, identified between November 2024 and October 2025, involves 331 children testing positive for HIV, with data suggesting contaminated needles rather than mother-to-child transmission as the primary cause. Despite the evidence, the hospital’s new medical superintendent, Dr. Qasim Buzdar, dismissed the footage as potentially staged or outdated, insisting the facility is safe. Local doctor Dr. Gul Qaisrani initially raised the alarm after noticing a spike in pediatric HIV cases linked to the hospital. Experts warn that even with new needles, reusing syringe bodies can transfer viruses. This report highlights severe failures in infection control and regulatory oversight within the regional healthcare system.
BBC News