Hospital at centre of child HIV outbreak caught reusing syringes in undercover filming
Hospital at Centre of Child HIV Outbreak Caught Reusing Syringes in Undercover Filming
In late 2025, BBC Eye’s undercover footage captured dangerous injection practices at THQ Taunsa Hospital in Taunsa, Punjab, Pakistan, revealing repeated reuse of syringes on multi-dose vials. The recording showed 10 instances of contaminated needles being used on patients, with four cases involving the same vial being administered to different children. This raises concerns about the spread of HIV through improper sterilization, despite visible warnings on hospital walls about safe procedures.
Two Children Fall Ill After Contaminated Injections
Mohammed Amin, a boy who died at age eight, and his sister Asma, ten years old, are among 331 children in Taunsa diagnosed with HIV between November 2024 and October 2025. Their family claims both contracted the virus from injections using unsterilized needles during routine care at THQ Taunsa. Asma’s mother, Sughra, described her son’s agony: “His fevers were so bad he insisted on sleeping in the rain, and he writhed in pain like he’d been thrown in hot oil.” Asma, who also tested positive, recalled the emotional toll: “He used to fight with me, but he also loved me.”
Experts Sound Alarm Over Infection Control Gaps
Dr. Altaf Ahmed, a leading infectious disease specialist, analyzed the footage and emphasized that even with new needles, the syringe body could still transmit the virus. “The back part has the virus in it, so it will transfer even with a new needle,” he stated. The investigation also found staff, including a doctor, used non-sterile gloves 66 times, while a nurse handled medical waste without protective gear. These lapses highlight systemic issues in training and hygiene protocols at the hospital.
Government Response and Resumption of Practices
Local authorities initially vowed to address the outbreak after a private clinic doctor flagged it in late 2024. In March 2025, the hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr. Tayyab Farooq Chandio, was suspended. However, BBC Eye discovered that within three months, Chandio was back working at a rural health centre in Taunsa. He claimed the hospital wasn’t responsible for the outbreak, dismissing the footage as possibly staged or recorded before his tenure.
Data Reveals Widespread Transmission Risk
BBC Eye cross-referenced data from the Punjab provincial AIDS screening program, private clinics, and a leaked police dataset to identify 331 HIV-positive children in the city. Among 97 tested families, only four mothers were positive, suggesting the outbreak was primarily linked to medical procedures rather than mother-to-child transmission. The majority of cases cited “contaminated needle” as the mode of infection, including Asma’s, though some remain unclassified.
Parents Report Unsafe Practices
Dr. Gul Qaisrani, who first noticed the trend in late 2024, reported that nearly all the children diagnosed with HIV had been treated at THQ Taunsa. One parent told him their daughter received an injection with the same syringe as an HIV-positive cousin, and the needle was reused for multiple patients. Despite promises of reform, the hospital’s unsafe habits persisted, leaving families questioning the safety of their children’s care.
By October 2025, the provincial government had reported 106 cases, but the full scale of the outbreak remains unclear. The undercover footage underscores the ongoing risk, even as officials claim progress in addressing the crisis.
