Shocking Negligence Revealed in HIV Treatment at Rahim Yar Khan's SZMCH Hospital

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Alarming reports have surfaced regarding the treatment of HIV-positive patients at the Shaikh Zayed Medical College Hospital (SZMCH). A recent incident involving a patient named Ghulam Murtaza highlights a disturbing pattern of negligence that could endanger both patients and the broader community.

Incident Overview

On October 18, Murtaza arrived at the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and distension, a symptom of intestinal obstruction. After evaluations, tests confirmed he was HIV positive; however, the hospital marked the result as "pending," raising serious concerns about protocol adherence.

Surgical Concerns

Despite the infection risk, Murtaza underwent laparotomy that very evening in operating theatre II. Alarmingly, the next surgical procedure commenced a mere 20 minutes later — a direct violation of established infection control protocols that recommend a two to three-hour waiting period for thorough sterilization processes.

Follow-Up Surgical Procedures

Surgery on the subsequent patient, Nazim Hussain, began at 12:30 a.m., just after Murtaza was moved to the surgical unit. This sequence of events raises significant questions regarding the hospital’s infection management practices, particularly with HIV, given the known risks of transmission through medical procedures.

Patient's Complicated Journey

Tragically, Murtaza’s ordeal did not end there. Complications led to a second surgery on October 23, once again conducted without apparent adherence to proper post-operative protocols for HIV-positive patients. He was discharged on December 5 but was readmitted just days later, underscoring the severity of his condition and the ongoing risks involved.

Expert Opinions

Medical professionals warn that operating on an HIV-positive patient across multiple theatres within a short timeframe poses serious contamination risks. As whispers of negligence reached hospital leadership, attempts to alter official records were allegedly made, prompting an internal investigation.

Official Responses

Dr. Rao, the hospital's medical superintendent, refuted claims of protocol violations, insisting that all necessary precautions were in place, including sterilization and the use of ultraviolet radiation in operating theatres post-surgery. Nevertheless, discrepancies in record-keeping, particularly regarding the ambiguity of "pending" test results associated with the HIV stigma, remain a critical issue.

Societal Implications

The principal of SZMCH, Prof Dr. Salim Laghari, acknowledged society's stigmatization of HIV but asserted that all relevant departments were informed about patient statuses. Following these incidents, he announced a commitment to transparency, promising that all test results related to contagious diseases would be disclosed promptly to prevent future mishandling.

History of Negligence

This case isn't isolated; previous administrative inquiries have already implicated Dr. Rao and others for similar negligence regarding HIV patients. As a community grapples with the complexities of infectious disease management and the associated societal stigma, one must question how many more patients will suffer due to systemic failures before change is enacted.

Conclusion and Ongoing Concerns

Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds, and ask yourself: Who will hold these hospitals accountable when patient safety is placed at risk?