A regulatory inspection at a state-run hospital in Pakistan’s Sindh province has uncovered serious lapses in infection control and medical waste management following an HIV outbreak linked to the facility. The findings have raised concerns over safety protocols at the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI)-run Valika Hospital in Karachi’s SITE area.

According to a report by Dawn, the inspection by the Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) followed an outbreak that infected at least 78 children with HIV. Subsequent screenings in the surrounding area identified another 120 HIV-positive cases.

Inspection Reveals Medical Waste Lapses

In a statement issued on Friday, the SHCC said inspectors found that needles were being manually removed from syringes after use and were not being disposed of in designated sharps bins.

The commission said the practice raised serious concerns because hospital staff could not explain where the contaminated needles were being discarded or how they were ultimately disposed of.

Technical personnel were unable to provide inspectors with information on the handling or disposal of the medical waste, according to the regulatory body.

Infection Control Deficiencies Identified

Although the hospital had established an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Committee, the commission said several critical shortcomings remained.

According to Dawn, the hospital failed to provide formal infection control training to staff or maintain written safety guidelines.

Inspectors were also unable to verify whether the hospital’s autoclave, used to sterilise medical equipment, was functioning properly.

In addition, nursing and operation theatre staff were absent during duty hours, preventing inspectors from assessing routine infection control practices.

Staff Training and Waste Disposal Under Question

The SHCC said medical waste was not being segregated or disposed of in accordance with infection prevention guidelines.

It also found that hospital staff demonstrated limited knowledge of safe medical waste handling procedures.

According to Dawn, the private contractor responsible for collecting and disposing of medical waste had not received appropriate training.

The commission further noted that waste management practices were affected by staff unionisation and a lack of cooperation with safety protocols.

Officials Suspended After Inquiry

Independent investigations found widespread violations of infection prevention measures, including the reported reuse of single-use syringes.

Following the findings, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah ordered the suspension of 37 officers and officials, including hospital administrators, laboratory personnel and nursing staff.

The inquiry into the HIV outbreak and the hospital’s infection control practices remains ongoing.

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