LAHORE: A Punjab government inquiry committee has recommended major penalties against senior officials of the Nishtar Medical University (NMU) and Hospital, including removal of the vice chancellor over HIV outbreak due to staff negligence.

Around 30 patients of the Nephrology Department contracted Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDs) infections during dialysis at the Nishtar Hospital, Multan, in Nov 2024.

The largest public sector hospital in south Punjab hit the headlines due to gross negligence when patients were reportedlyputonthreedialysismachinesmeant for HIV positive cases [patients].

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz constituted an inquiry committee led by Chairman PTA/ Secretary Transport Department Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi and Amanullah, Special Secretary, SHC&ME Department South Punjab, as a member.

The inquiry was conducted under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline & Accountability Act (PEEDA) 2006. It noted severe lapses in supervision, protocol compliance, and patient care, particularly in the Nephrology Department.

The inquiry report available with Dawn recommended different penalties against the accused officials, including NMU Vice Chancellor Dr Mehnaz Khakwani, who failed to supervise hospital administration, leading to uncheckedprotocol violations and recommended her removal from the position and forfeiture of past one year`s service.

The committee also found Head of Nephrology and Registrar Prof Dr Ghulam Abbas guilty of negligence in enforcing SOPs or act in HIV cases and recommended his compulsory retirement.

Additional Principal Dr Muhammad Kazim was penalised with censure and withheld increments for delaying investigation into the outbreak and Associate Professor Dr Poonam Khalid was recommended for demotion and a one-month fine for being absent from duty frequently and failing to ensure SOPs compliance.

Dr Maleeha Johar Zaidi and Dr Alamgir Malik were exonerated due toinsufficient evidence. They had initially been accused of ignoring early HIV cases and poor equipment monitoring. Head nurse Naheed Parveen was also exonerated.The committee submitted its recommendations to the chief minister, who asked hearing officer Ali Bahadur Qazi to review the accused officers` defense within seven days. Failure to respond may result in ex-parte penalties.

The report urged the Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department to implement systemic improvements, including stricter SOP enforcement and accountability mechanisms to prevent future lapses.

Secretary Azmat Mahmud issued orders, emphasizing zero tolerance for negligence compromising patients safety.